• Due to blockage of duct exiting Bartholin's gland, causing accumulation of gland fluid; if infected, may form an abscess
• Common infectious agents include sexually transmitted Chlamydia and gonorrhea; E. coli and other normal flora
• Cyst may occur secondary to gonorrhea or other acute inflammation, which causes abscess, then obstruction of duct
• Painful; may be huge; seen in all ages, but often women age 40+ years
• May be associated with accessory breast tissue
• May have mucocele-like changes (Hum Pathol 1978;9:111)

• Neonate with urinary retention as presentation of Bartholin's duct cyst (J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol 2012;25:e65)
• 43 year old woman with rectovaginal fistula as complication of Bartholin gland excision (Obstet Gynecol 2011;118:489)
• Bilateral endometrioma of Bartholin's glands accompanying ovarian endometrioma (J Obstet Gynaecol 2011;31:187)

• Excise in older women because of risk of adenoid cystic carcinoma; otherwise marsupialize

• Squamous and urothelial epithelium common, but may be destroyed by inflammatory infiltrate
• Still see residual mucinous glands with nonsulfated sialomucin
• May have calcifications resembling malakoplakia

Dilated duct

Transitional epithelial lining and mucus glands

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