Paramesonephric mucinous cysts of the vulva

Abstract

Three new cases of mucinous cysts of the vulva are reported. Characteristically, they are located in the superior portion of the labium minus of multiparous women. They are subject to trauma by virtue of their location and often produce discomfort and postcoital pain. The epithelial lining is distinctive. A simple layer of tall columnar cells has basally placed nuclei and cytoplasm containing abundant mucin. Papillary infoldings of the wall, focal subcolumnar reserve cell hyperplasia and squamous prosoplasia, and epithelial cilia are often present. The marked resemblance to the mucosa of the uterine endocervix suggests that these cysts are of paramesonephric (Müllerian) origin. The possible factors related to histogenesis include the effects of progestational hormones on developmentally displaced epithelium. These cysts are uncommon but should be distinguished from mesonephric duct cysts and other cystic lesions of the vulva.