Nabothian cyst

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Nabothian cyst
Nabothian cyst
SpecialtyObstetrics and gynaecology Edit this on Wikidata

A nabothian cyst (or nabothian follicle)[1] is a mucus-filled cyst on the surface of the cervix. They are most often caused when stratified squamous epithelium of the ectocervix (portion nearest to the vagina) grows over the simple columnar epithelium of the endocervix (portion nearest to the uterus). This tissue growth can block the cervical crypts (subdermal pockets usually 2–10 mm in diameter), trapping cervical mucus inside the crypts.

Presentation

Nabothian cysts appear most often as firm bumps on the cervix's surface. A woman may notice the cyst when inserting a

diaphragm or cervical cap, or when checking the cervix as part of fertility awareness.[2][unreliable medical source?] A health care provider
may notice the cysts during a pelvic exam.

Nabothian cysts are also incidentally found during MRI imaging. During the healing process of chronic

columnar epithelium of endocervical glands. Thus, retention of mucus in the endocervical glands causes cyst formation. The size of the cyst may vary from a few millimetres to 4 cm in diameter.[3]

Diagnosis

If a cyst has an unusual appearance, a colposcopy will be performed to rule out other diagnoses.[4] If the blood vessels are short, comma-like or corkscrew-shaped and bleed on contact, then the cyst may be a very rare mucin-producing carcinoma of the cervix.[4] Magnetic resonance imaging is used to distinguish cancer from the typical nabothian cyst.[4]

T1-weighted MRI imaging would show intermediate to high intensity while T2-weighted imaging would show high signal intensity. Findings of solid components separating multiple cysts would be suggestive of adenoma malignum (a form of cervical cancer).[3]

Treatment

Color MRI showing nabothian cyst as small blue circle in cervical region.

Nabothian cysts usually require no treatment and frequently resolve on their own.

pap smear, in which case the clinician may puncture the cyst with a needle and drain it.[4] If nabothian cysts occur with chronic cervicitis (inflammation of the cervix) then the underlying cause of the inflammation must be treated.[5][6]

Eponym

Nabothian cysts are also known as nabothian follicles, mucinous retention cysts, or epithelial inclusion cysts. They are named after German

better source needed
] Since it is a derived term, nabothian is not spelled with a capital first letter.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Dorlands Medical Dictionary:nabothian cysts".
  2. ISBN 0-06-093764-5
    .
  3. ^
    PMID 12640157
    .
  4. ^
    OCLC 57731391.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link
    )
  5. OCLC 47013933
    .
  6. ^ "Colpotest Guide".
  7. ^ "Nabothian Cysts". Who Named It?. 2007. Retrieved 2007-06-22.

External links


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