Rationale: Nabothian cysts are mucus-filled cervical cysts that are usually asymptomatic unless they become very large. Chronic urinary retention is the persistent inability to empty the bladder despite maintaining an ability to urinate. Chronic urinary retention caused by a large, deep nabothian cyst has not been reported previously.
Patient concerns: A 46-year-old woman presented with chronic urinary retention and a cervical cyst that gradually increased in size.
Diagnosis: Based on histopathological evidence, our patient was diagnosed with a nabothian cyst.
Interventions: A hysterectomy was performed.
Outcomes: The urinary symptoms of the patient resolved after she performed clean, intermittent self-catheterizations for 5 days after the operation. She was discharged on postoperative day 6.
Lessons: Large nabothian cysts are rare but may account for some unusual symptoms including unexplained urinary difficulties in women. We recommend treating symptomatic nabothian cysts with local cystectomies or hysterectomies.