What is the diagnosis of a 2cm diameter lesion on the outer labia, initially presumed to be a cyst, that drained clear/bloody fluid, formed a hematoma (collection of blood outside of blood vessels) a week later and is refilling with blood, with a hard tract into the groin and no signs of infection?

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Differential Diagnosis for Lesion on Outer Labia

  • Single most likely diagnosis
    • Bartholin's gland abscess or cyst with fistula formation: The initial drainage of clear/bloody fluid and subsequent hematoma formation, followed by refilling with blood, suggests a complex cystic structure that may have formed a fistulous tract. The hard tract into the groin supports this diagnosis, as it could represent a fistula.
  • Other Likely diagnoses
    • Infected sebaceous cyst or epidermoid cyst: Although there are no infective symptoms, an infected cyst could present with drainage and subsequent hematoma formation. The lack of infectious symptoms does not entirely rule out this possibility.
    • Vulvar hematoma with pseudoaneurysm formation: The refilling with blood after hematoma formation could suggest a vascular anomaly such as a pseudoaneurysm, especially if there was significant trauma to the area.
  • Do Not Miss (ddxs that may not be likely, but would be deadly if missed.)
    • Malignancy (e.g., vulvar cancer, adenocarcinoma of Bartholin's gland): Although less likely, any persistent or recurrent lesion, especially with unusual characteristics like a hard tract into the groin, warrants consideration of malignancy to ensure timely diagnosis and treatment.
    • Necrotizing fasciitis or other severe soft tissue infections: The absence of infective symptoms does not rule out severe infections, especially in immunocompromised patients. These conditions are medical emergencies.
  • Rare diagnoses
    • Vulvar endometriosis: This condition can cause cystic lesions that may bleed, especially if they are connected to the menstrual cycle. However, it's less common and typically associated with pelvic endometriosis.
    • Vascular malformations (e.g., arteriovenous malformation): These could present with a complex lesion and hematoma formation due to abnormal blood vessel structure. They are rare and might require specialized imaging for diagnosis.

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This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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