Clitoromegaly due to an epidermal inclusion cyst: A case report

Case Rep Womens Health. 2022 Jul 18:35:e00432. doi: 10.1016/j.crwh.2022.e00432. eCollection 2022 Jul.

Abstract

Background: Clitoromegaly is often a sign of androgen excess; however, non-hormonal causes must be ruled out. We report the case of an adolescent with isolated clitoromegaly without clinical or biochemical evidence of hyperandrogenism.

Case: A 16-year-old female was referred due to a clitoromegaly of 12 months of evolution. Examination of the pubic region revealed normal female genitalia with an enlarged clitoris, 4 cm long and 2.5 cm wide. The clitoris was painless, soft on palpation, and mobile over deeper layers. There were no signs of virilization, and the patient did not report dysuria or difficulties with sexual intercourse. Her medical record was also unremarkable, with no female circumcision, family history of birth defects, or genital abnormalities. Hormone profile blood tests were normal. Pelvic ultrasound examination was normal, but a high-resolution scan with a linear transducer confirmed the presence of a cyst, lying anterior to the clitoral body and glans. The cyst was surgically removed with special care to preserve the clitoral neurovasculature. The pathological report disclosed an epidermoid clitoral cyst. The patient described emotional well-being, satisfactory sexual function, and no discomfort after a year of follow-up.

Conclusion: Epidermal clitoral cysts represent an unusual cause of clitoromegaly. These cysts should be ruled out as a differential diagnosis after an exhaustive semiological and endocrinological examination.

Keywords: Adolescence; Clitoromegaly; Epidermal inclusion cyst.

Publication types

  • Case Reports