Vascular hamartoma: an unusual cause of clitoromegaly in an 18-year-old patient

J Low Genit Tract Dis. 2012 Jul;16(3):325-7. doi: 10.1097/LGT.0b013e3182422c54.

Abstract

Objective: Clitoromegaly encountered in clinical practice is more commonly due to endocrinopathies either congenital or acquired. However, acquired clitoromegaly due to a nonhormonal cause is quite rare. The authors report a case of nonhormonal-acquired clitoromegaly in a woman.

Materials and methods: This is a case report of an 18-year-old patient with slowly increasing swelling in the vulval area for the past 6 months. Clinical examination revealed an enlarged, soft, nontender clitoris (4 × 2.5 cm), with a lobulated surface.

Results: Frozen section from clitoral mass showed a benign tumor. Surgical excision of the mass was carried out, preserving the glans. Histopathologic examination of the excised mass showed congested blood vessels and fibromuscular tissue with free nerve endings suggestive of vascular hamartoma of clitoris.

Conclusions: The correct diagnosis of clitoromegaly is essential so that suitable therapy is instituted. Thus, management of such cases needs a good clinical judgment and a judicious individualization of management protocols.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Clitoris / blood supply
  • Clitoris / pathology*
  • Clitoris / surgery*
  • Edema / diagnosis
  • Edema / etiology
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Hamartoma / pathology*
  • Hamartoma / surgery
  • Humans
  • Hypertrophy / pathology
  • Hypertrophy / surgery
  • Rare Diseases
  • Risk Assessment
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vulvar Diseases / pathology*
  • Vulvar Diseases / surgery