Abstract
Your practice nurse books a 31-year-old female patient in to see you following a routine smear as she is concerned about the appearance of the lady’s cervix. The patient is fit and well with no gynaecological symptoms, has had 2 children via vaginal deliveries. She has no other significant history.
Dr P. Marazzi/Science Photo Library.
These are cervical nabothian cysts
Cervical nabothian cysts are benign lesions of the cervix that occur naturally or as a result of trauma, such as childbirth. They are mucus filled cysts that occur on their own, or in a group, and occur when endocervical cells are covered by squamous metaplasia causing mucus accumulation. They are also known as nabothian follicles, epithelial inclusion cysts or mucinous retention cysts.
They are common and are considered a variation of normal cervical anatomy. The cysts can range in size from a few millimetres to 4 cm.
Cervical nabothian cysts are usually asymptomatic and the diagnosis is made on the basis of their clinical appearance. The patient can be reassured, and the cervical appearance noted for future reference. Referral to gynaecological for colposcopy and biopsy is only required if there is any doubt about the diagnosis. Differential diagnosis of cervical lesions includes cervical erosions, cancer and polyps. Very large nabothian cysts may require treatment with cautery or cryotherapy.
ORCID iD
Dr Emma Harris https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3828-7727