Vulva cellulitis and abscess with extension to anterior abdominal wall

Abstract

Background: Abscesses occur commonly in our environment. However abscesses of the vulva in children are not often seen but they do occur periodically, and there is a paucity of data on its prevalence in our environment.
Aim: To present a case of vulva cellulitis and abscess with extension to anterior abdominal wall occurring in a 17- month-old female.
Case report: A 17-month-old female presented with fever of one week duration and vulval swelling of four days duration. Her parents were of middle socioeconomic class. An initial diagnosis of a right inguino-labial hernia with a differential diagnosis of Bartholin's cyst was made but was changed to anterior abdominal wall abscess(vulva cellulites and abscess with extension to anterior abdominal wall) when an obviously tender, erythematous, warm swelling appeared in the right iliac region. She received antibiotics and had an incision and drainage of the abscess. She was thereafter discharged in good clinical condition.
Conclusion: Cases of vulva cellulitis and abscess are not common in children. A high index of suspicion would be needed to make an early diagnosis.

Keywords: Abscess, Vulva cellulitis, Anterior abdominal wall, Children