Gartner Duct Cyst





KEY FACTS


Terminology





  • Gartner duct cyst: Embryonic remnant of wolffian (mesonephric) duct, lined with nonmucinous columnar cells




    • Associated with renal/ureteral/müllerian anomalies




Imaging





  • Ultrasound is modality of choice



  • Well-defined cyst with thin walls, may contain septa



  • Anechoic to hypoechoic with increased through transmission



  • Separate from cervix, in anterolateral vaginal wall



  • Infection or hemorrhage → increased echogenicity of fluid



  • Rarely, large enough to cause urethral obstruction



  • Cyst may be seen posterior to bladder or protrude into bladder, mimicking ureterocele or urethral diverticulum



  • MR provides better resolution and spatial differentiation from other organs




    • Usually low T1 signal intensity and high T2 signal intensity




      • Hemorrhage or proteinaceous debris results in high T1 and T2 signal intensity





  • No internal flow on Doppler




    • Helps to confirm cystic nature rather than solid mass, such as vaginal tumor




Top Differential Diagnoses





  • Nabothian cysts



  • Vaginal inclusion cysts



  • Urethral diverticulum



  • Ectopic ureterocele



  • Endometriosis



  • If solid-appearing, consider vaginal tumors or cervical/vaginal polyp



Pathology





  • Associations




    • Müllerian duct anomalies




      • Unicornuate, bicornuate, didelphys, or septate uterus




    • Renal anomalies




      • Ipsilateral renal dysgenesis/agenesis



      • Cross-fused ectopia/ectopic ureter




    • Diverticulosis of fallopian tubes (salpingitis isthmica nodosa)




Clinical Issues





  • Occurs in 1-2% of women; usually asymptomatic



  • Incidental finding on imaging or pelvic examination



  • Symptomatic if large: Pelvic pressure symptoms, dyspareunia, obstructed labor



  • Infection/hemorrhage may cause acute pain



  • May present with urologic symptoms



Diagnostic Checklist





  • In females with ipsilateral renal dysgenesis, ureterocele-like “cyst” without associated ureteric dilatation is highly suspicious for Gartner duct cyst



Scanning Tips





  • Partial withdrawal of transvaginal probe or light pressure helpful to minimize cyst compression



  • Transperineal sonography can be alternative







Longitudinal transabdominal ultrasound shows an ovoid cyst inferior to the cervix . The endometrium is normal in this retroverted uterus.








Coronal transvaginal ultrasound in the same patient shows 2 ovoid cysts in the upper vagina, consistent with Gartner duct cysts.








Sagittal T2 FSE MR in the same patient confirms the location of the Gartner duct cysts , inferior to the cervix , which contains a nabothian follicle .

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Nov 10, 2024 | Posted by in ULTRASONOGRAPHY | Comments Off on Gartner Duct Cyst

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