Benign and Inflammatory Lesions of the Human Female Prostate: A Narrative Review of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Approaches

Abstract

Introduction

Skene’s glands are recognised as the female equivalent of the male prostate gland. They can be affected by a variety of benign, inflammatory, or malignant conditions.

Objective

This review critically analyses the current literature on the diagnosis and management of non-malignant lesions associated with Skene’s gland.

Methodology

A comprehensive search of Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed/MEDLINE was conducted, focusing on non-malignant lesions of Skene’s gland while excluding studies involving newborns and animals.

Results

Sixty relevant articles were identified, primarily comprising small case series. The benign lesions reviewed include cysts, hyperplasia, tubular-squamous vaginal polyps, leiomyomas, adenofibromas, and Skene’s gland lithiasis. Inflammatory conditions such as abscesses and female prostatitis were also analysed.

Conclusion

Physical examination, ultrasound, cystoscopy, MRI, and micro-ultrasound are essential diagnostic modalities for evaluating Skene’s gland pathologies. Timely conservative or surgical interventions can effectively manage benign conditions, with treatment options typically guided by the severity of symptoms. This review underscores the necessity for further research into the biology of Skene’s gland, particularly regarding potential diagnostic and therapeutic implications, and emphasizes the importance of a routine evaluation of Skene’s gland in urological and gynaecological practice.

Zusammenfassung

Einleitung

Die Skene-Drüsen werden als das weibliche Pendant zur Prostata angesehen. Sie können von einer Vielzahl an benignen, entzündlichen oder malignen Erkrankungen betroffen sein.

Zielsetzung

Diese Übersichtarbeit betrachtet kritisch die aktuelle Literatur zur Diagnose und Behandlung nicht-maligner Läsionen der Skene-Drüsen.

Methodik

Es wurde eine umfassende Recherche in Scopus, Web of Science und PudMed/Medline mit Fokussierung auf nicht-maligne Läsionen der Skene-Drüsen durchgeführt. Studien zu Neugeborenen und nicht-humanen Beschreibungen der Skene-Drüsen wurden ausgeschlossen. Insgesamt konnten 60 relevante Artikel identifiziert werden, die hauptsächlich aus kleinen Fallserien bestehen. Die untersuchten benignen Läsionen umfassen Zysten, Hyperplasien, tubulosquamöse Vaginalpolypen, Leiomyome, Adenofibrome und Skene-Drüsen-Lithiasis. Auch entzündliche Erkrankungen wie Abszesse und die Prostatitis der Frau wurden analysiert.

Ergebnisse

Körperliche Untersuchung, Ultraschall, Zystoskopie, MRT und Mikro-Ultraschall sind entscheidende diagnostische Instrumente. Eine zeitnahe konservative oder chirurgische Intervention kann diese benignen Erkrankungen effektiv behandeln, wobei das Ausmaß der Therapie in der Regel durch die Schwere der Symptome bestimmt wird. Diese Übersichtarbeit unterstreicht die Notwendigkeit weiterer Forschung zur Biologie der Skene-Drüsen, insbesondere hinsichtlich ihrer diagnostischen und therapeutischen Implikationen, und plädiert für das routinemäßige Bedenken der Präsenz von Skene-Drüsen in der urologischen und gynäkologischen Praxis.

Keywords

Skene's gland - periurethral glands - cysts - PSA

Schlüsselwörter

Skene-Drüse - periurethralen Drüsen - Zysten - PSA

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