The largest epidermal cyst with vitiligo lesions following female genital mutilation: a case report and literature review

Abstract

Epidermoid vulvar cystic lesions are proliferations of epidermal cells that can occur as a complication of female genital mutilation (FGM), which is still a common practice in many cultures, especially in Africa. A 36-year-old Sudanese woman presented with an enlarged clitoral mass that had first appeared 2 years earlier. Her medical history showed that she had undergone FGM when she was 3 years old. A perineal examination revealed a mobile, nontender, rounded cystic swelling with vitiligo lesions. After the cyst was excised, it revealed a 13 ×11 × 11 cm unilocular round mass. An epidermoid cyst was reported following microscopy. Follow-up 6 months later revealed a good result with no recurrence. To date, this is the largest epidermoid cyst following FGM and the first one with vitiligo lesions reported in the literature.