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Bartholin gland abscess — DRCOG MCQ

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EasyGynaecologyBartholin gland abscessDRCOG

A 24-year-old woman has a painful swelling at the left posterior introitus. She is febrile and walking is difficult. Examination shows a 4 cm fluctuant tender swelling in the Bartholin gland area. What is the most likely diagnosis?

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Correct answer: C — Bartholin gland abscess

A painful fluctuant swelling at the posterior introitus with fever is a Bartholin gland abscess. A simple cyst is often less painful and not associated with systemic symptoms. VIN and genital warts are usually lesions rather than a fluctuant abscess. The pearl is that abscesses often need drainage with Word catheter or marsupialisation rather than antibiotics alone.

Reference: NICE CKS Bartholin's cyst and abscess