Atheroma in the groin area

The groin area is rich not only in sebaceous glands, but also in hair follicles, that is, such structural parts of the body that can be considered a favorable environment for the development of all kinds of benign retention neoplasms.

Atheroma in the groin area ranks second in the list of the most common areas of sebaceous gland cysts, with the scalp leading the list.

Factors that contribute to the formation of atheroma in the groin area:

• Presence of hair, hair follicles.
• Trauma to the groin area during intimate procedures.
• Infection of the skin of the groin area.
• Increased sweating.
• Uncomfortable, tight underwear.
• Hereditary predisposition.
• Hormonal imbalance.
• Metabolic disorder.
• Violation of personal hygiene rules.
• Trauma to the groin area, softening of tissue in the area of local hemorrhage.

Atheroma in the groin area is not considered a true tumor and is not a malignant neoplasm. However, such cysts are prone to inflammation, almost always suppurate and can develop into an abscess. In the groin, atheroma is often defined as a retention formation, that is, developing as a result of blockage of the sebaceous glands and their ducts (retentio - slowdown, delay). The longer the cyst forms, the more dendrite (contents) accumulates in it, accordingly, the atheroma increases and can reach very large sizes - up to 5-7 centimeters in diameter.

Diagnosis of atheroma of the groin area is quite specific, since almost all diseases of this area are well studied. In addition, a cyst of the sebaceous gland of the groin in 6-70% of cases becomes inflamed, that is, it is accompanied by typical symptoms of a purulent process - hyperemia of the skin, severe pain, an increase in local temperature in the area of inflammation. Such atheromas are extremely painful, they require immediate medical intervention, adequate treatment to avoid the development of more serious complications - phlegmon and sepsis. Complex, purulent cysts of the groin are operated on inpatient conditions, simple atheromas of the groin area are also treated surgically, but on an outpatient basis.

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Atheroma in the groin

The groin area of the human body is covered with protective hair and is rich in sebaceous glands, which are located directly in the hair follicles.

Atheroma in the groin is quite common and is associated with the following reasons:

• Contamination and irritation of the skin in the groin.
• Mechanical damage and irritation of the groin area when wearing tight underwear, incorrect depilation.
• Untidy shaving procedures, ingrown hairs.
• Groin injuries.
• Failure to comply with the rules of hygiene of intimate areas.
• Hormonal dysfunctions.
• Increased sweating.
• Venereal diseases.
• STDs are sexually transmitted diseases.
• Allergy.
• Avitaminosis.
• Hereditary factor.
• Thermal factor – hypothermia or overheating.

Atheroma in the groin is most often diagnosed as multiple small cysts that look like rashes covering the entire groin. Less often, a large subcutaneous cyst forms in the groin, which is prone to inflammation, secondary infection and transformation into a purulent abscess.

Retention cysts of the groin are treated with a laser or radio wave method; abscessing cysts are first opened, treated with antiseptic agents, drained, and after the inflammatory signs subside, removed by excision.

Atheroma in the groin is considered a benign cyst, however, like other tumor-like neoplasms, it requires accurate differential diagnosis, often histology and timely enucleation.

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Atheroma on the pubis

The favorite place of localization of atheroma is any part of the body that has sebaceous glands and hair. Most often, sebaceous gland cysts are detected on the head, the armpits, groin, pubis follow each other, not too inferior in the frequency of development of subcutaneous neoplasms.

Glandulae sebaseae – sebaceous glands, are located throughout the body, excluding the palms and soles of the feet, these alveolar structures regularly produce a lipid secretion, which is needed to protect the skin, lubricate the hair, thus, in most cases, the glands are closely connected with the folliculus pili – the hair bulb. In the pubic area, glandulae sebaseae are localized, having a multi-lobed structure, in addition, the number of glands in this area, as well as in the area of the labia and women, is very large.

Atheroma on the pubis is caused by various factors, among which may be the following:

• Dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system.
• Dysfunction of the hormonal system, failure in regulation.
• Dysfunction of the peripheral nervous system.
• Metabolic disorder.
• Pregnancy in women.
• Climacteric period in women and men.
• Viral diseases.
• Itsenko-Cushing's disease.
• Decreased function of the adrenal cortex.
• Diseases of the anterior pituitary gland.

All of the above pathologies are accompanied by a violation of secretory production by the sebaceous glands, seborrhea, especially in the genital area, including the pubic area. Such violations lead to the formation of lipid plugs located in the excretory ducts of the glands, they often have the form of comedones, as well as atheromas, steatomas. Also, the factors that provoke atheroma on the pubis can be the following situations:

• Failure to observe the rules of personal intimate hygiene
• Consequences of unsuccessful depilation
• Mechanical irritation of the skin by tight underwear.
• Allergic reaction, including drug allergy.

Atheroma in the pubic area looks like a small seal with clear contours, the cyst does not hurt until an inflammatory process develops in it, which happens quite often. A simple retention cyst, formed as a result of the accumulation of cystic dendrite, is removed surgically without serious complications. A purulent atheroma on the pubis is operated only after opening the abscess, draining it, treating the inflammation. Such atheromas are subject to enucleation only if the purulent exudate is completely removed from the cyst cavity, and the symptoms of the inflammatory process subside. Removal of a sebaceous cyst in intimate areas is not difficult, such procedures are often performed on an outpatient basis, the main thing is to see a doctor in time and prevent suppuration of the atheroma.

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Atheroma on the labia

Atheroma on the labia is quite rare. This is due to the different structure of these organs, or rather, to the fact that the labia do not contain a sufficient number of sebaceous glands, which are a favorite place for subcutaneous cysts to localize. However, small sebaceous glands, not associated with hair follicles, penetrate the connective tissue of the external genitalia and can become an area potentially “attractive” for the development of atheroma.

The sebaceous glands of the labia are called free, separate, they are smaller than the classic alveolar glands and have narrower excretory ducts. In addition, these glands are characterized by increased production of sebaceous secretion, which becomes the content of the cyst and often clogs the excretory opening.

Atheroma of the labia in 90% is defined as retention, it contains a characteristic exudate - dentrite, consisting of fat, epithelial and keratinized epidermal cells. Cysts of the labia can reach large sizes due to mechanical, traumatic factors - wearing underwear, sexual contacts.

Subcutaneous cysts in this area are prone to inflammation and suppuration, and are often at risk of secondary infection. Therefore, if any atypical lump appears on the labia, a woman should consult a gynecologist for examination and diagnosis.

Differential diagnostics of atheroma of the labia majora (LBM) and LM (labia minora) is carried out with the following diseases that are similar in clinical manifestations:

• Fibroma.
• Myoma.
• Myxoma.
• Lipoma.
• Papilloma.
• Hemangioma.
• Hygroma.
• Lymphangioma.
• Hidrodenoma.

Atheroma of the labia is treated only surgically; the purulent cyst is opened, drained, and then completely excised to avoid relapse.

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Atheroma of the perineum

Atheroma most often forms in the sebaceous glands associated with the hair bulb, follicle. Therefore, any hairy part of the body is a potentially dangerous area for the development of benign retention cysts.

Atheroma of the perineum is caused by the fact that the skin in this area is very vulnerable and is often involved in the process of hypersecretion of the sebaceous glands. The perineum requires careful care in a hygienic sense, since any contamination, irritation, rash, damage to the skin is fraught with secondary infection and the development of inflamed purulent cysts of the sebaceous glands.

Subcutaneous neoplasms of the perineum are characterized by small sizes, most often they are multiple, located throughout the vulva area. Clinical manifestations of atheromas are non-specific, they can look like small pimples, whiteheads. More pronounced symptoms are typical for inflamed cysts, which quickly increase in size, fester and cause pain. Such atheromas are prone to spontaneous opening and ulceration. Untimely diagnosis and lack of adequate therapy leads to recurrence of the process, the formation of extensive abscesses.

Diagnosis of perineal atheroma is performed by examination on a gynecological chair, taking a smear, and less often a biopsy is required. Removal of multiple vulvar atheromas is possible using non-surgical laser and radio wave methods; single cysts larger than 1 centimeter are removed surgically using total excision within healthy, undamaged tissues.

Vulvar atheroma is operated on at any stage of development; cyst removal is considered the only reliable and effective way to get rid of this neoplasm today.

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