Radiology Case Reports (Dec 2021)

Skene's glands abscess an overlooked diagnosis in acute lower urinary symptoms

  • Stefania Tamburrini, MD,
  • Carmine Vascone, MD,
  • Valeria Marrone, MD,
  • Marco Catalano, MD,
  • Dario Del Biondo, MD,
  • Luigi Gallo, MD,
  • Pasquale Quassone, MD,
  • Marina Lugarà, MD,
  • Maria Gabriella Coppola, MD,
  • Fiore De Simone, MD,
  • Giorgio Napodano, MD

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 16, no. 12
pp. 3751 – 3756

Abstract

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Skenitis refers to the infection of the Skene's glands. Skene's glands are paraurethral glands localized on the upper wall of the vagina. The diagnosis of Skene's glands abscess or infection is usually made based on the history and physical examination, but half of women with para-urethral gland symptoms present with non-palpable lesions and necessitate further evaluation with imaging. Patients may present with chronic urethral pain, recurrent urinary tract infections, unexplained dyspareunia, and dysuria. At imaging Skene's glands are typically located on the anterior vaginal wall, at symphysis level and paramedian to urethra. Clinicians should consider Skenitis in the differential diagnosis of lower urinary tract symptoms. We report a case of a 48-year-old woman with acute lower urinary tract symptoms with a final diagnosis of Skene's glands abscess.

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