Paraurethral duct cyst

Changed by Yvette Mellam, 10 Oct 2023
Disclosures - updated 10 Sep 2023: Nothing to disclose

Updates to Article Attributes

Body was changed:

Paraurethral duct cysts are retention cysts that form secondary to inflammatory obstruction of the paraurethral (Skene) ducts in females.

Pathology

The cysts are lined by stratified squamous epithelium due to their origin from the urogenital sinus.

Clinical presentation

Usually asymptomatic.

Radiographic features

MRI

Typically appear as round or oval masses that are located just laterally to the external urethral meatus and inferior to the pubic symphysis.

On MR imaging, Skene duct cysts manifest as round or oval hyperintense lesions just lateral to the external urethral meatus.

Signal characteristics include:

  • T2

    • hyperintense signal if uncomplicated

    • may show fluid-fluid levels if there is a complicating haemorrhage 1

Treatment and prognosis

Large, symptomatic cysts may warrant surgical excision or marsupialisation, usually with excellent outcome. Large cysts may also require drainage or excision in the presence of superimposed infection.

Differential diagnosis

General considerations include:

See also

  • -<p><strong>Paraurethral duct cysts</strong> are retention cysts that form secondary to inflammatory obstruction of the paraurethral (Skene) ducts in females.</p><h4>Pathology</h4><p>The cysts are lined by stratified squamous epithelium due to their origin from the urogenital sinus.</p><h4>Clinical presentation</h4><p>Usually asymptomatic.</p><h4>Radiographic features</h4><h5>MRI</h5><p>Typically appear as round or oval masses that are located just laterally to the external urethral meatus and inferior to the pubic symphysis.</p><p>On MR imaging, Skene duct cysts manifest as round or oval hyperintense lesions just lateral to the external urethral meatus.</p><p>Signal characteristics include:</p><ul><li>
  • -<strong>T2</strong><ul>
  • -<li>hyperintense signal if uncomplicated</li>
  • -<li>may show fluid-fluid levels if there is a complicating haemorrhage<sup> 1 </sup>
  • -</li>
  • +<p><strong>Paraurethral duct cysts</strong> are retention cysts that form secondary to inflammatory obstruction of the <a href="/articles/paraurethral-duct" title="Paraurethral duct">paraurethral (Skene) ducts</a> in females.</p><h4>Pathology</h4><p>The cysts are lined by stratified squamous epithelium due to their origin from the urogenital sinus.</p><h4>Clinical presentation</h4><p>Usually asymptomatic.</p><h4>Radiographic features</h4><h5>MRI</h5><p>Typically appear as round or oval masses that are located just laterally to the external urethral meatus and inferior to the pubic symphysis.</p><p>On MR imaging, Skene duct cysts manifest as round or oval hyperintense lesions just lateral to the external urethral meatus.</p><p>Signal characteristics include:</p><ul><li>
  • +<p><strong>T2</strong></p>
  • +<ul>
  • +<li><p>hyperintense signal if uncomplicated</p></li>
  • +<li><p>may show fluid-fluid levels if there is a complicating haemorrhage<sup> 1</sup></p></li>
  • -<li><a href="/articles/bartholin-gland-cyst">Bartholin gland cyst</a></li>
  • +<li><p><a href="/articles/bartholin-gland-cyst">Bartholin gland cyst</a></p></li>
  • -<a href="/articles/urethral-diverticulum">urethral diverticulum</a> (urethrocele)<ul><li>tend to be midurethral in location versus paraurethral gland cysts, which are located near the external urethral meatus</li></ul>
  • +<p><a href="/articles/urethral-diverticulum">urethral diverticulum</a> (urethrocele)</p>
  • +<ul><li><p>tend to be midurethral in location versus paraurethral gland cysts, which are located near the external urethral meatus</p></li></ul>
  • -</ul><h4>See also</h4><ul><li><a href="/articles/periurethral-cystic-lesions-1">periurethral cysts</a></li></ul>
  • +</ul><h4>See also</h4><ul><li><p><a href="/articles/periurethral-cystic-lesions-1">periurethral cysts</a></p></li></ul>

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