Recurrent periclitoral abscess: treatment of a rare cause of vulvar pain

Recurrent Peri-Clitoral Abscess with Positive Actinomyces turicensis Culture

A peri-clitoral abscess is a condition that is seldom encountered in practice and is found scarcely in the literature. The cause of spontaneous peri-clitoral abscess not associated with female circumcision/genital mutilation is generally unknown. Additionally, there have been no case reports of positive Actinomyces culture at the time of drainage of a peri-clitoral abscess. This case outlines a 42-year-old female with a spontaneous peri-clitoral abscess. The abscess was initially treated with incision and drainage (I&D) and antibiotics, but it later reoccurred necessitating a second I&D with bedside marsupialization and antibiotics targeted at Actinomyces, which grew on the culture after primary I&D.

Periclitoral Abscess: A Recurrent Problem

BACKGROUND

Periclitoral abscesses are rare and lack a defined management strategy due to the limited number of cases available for review. Regardless of the initial management, recurrence remains common.

CASE

A 17-year-old presented with clitoral pain and swelling consistent with periclitoral abscess. Conservative treatment with antibiotics failed, and underwent 2 incision and drainage procedures prior to resolution of the abscess.

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION

Spontaneous periclitoral abscess is rare, and the optimal treatment strategy has not been defined, with a high rate of recurrence being noted regardless of either conservative management with antibiotics or incision and drainage as initial treatment. In many cases of recurrent periclitoral abscess, hair was removed from the abscess cavity, suggesting that retained foreign material in the abscess cavity could be the nidus for recurrence.

To Shave or Not to Shave? A Series of Periclitoral Masses Associated With Depilatory Techniques and a Review of the Literature

Periclitoral masses are uncommon disorders in gynecology often leading to pain and distress. With the popularity of female genital hair grooming and depilation, the vulva has been exposed to new insults including contact dermatitis and folliculitis. The unique anatomy of the protective covering of the clitoral hood may subject hair fragments to trapping, inflammation, irritation, and in some cases abscess formation.

Gynecologic rarities: a case of periclitoral abscess and review of the literature

Periclitoral abscess is a rare entity, with publications limited to case reports. We present here a case of periclitoral abscess in a 17 year old patient, which was treated with incision and drainage. We also review all the similar cases that have been reported in the English literature until now.