PATHOLOGY OF PERIANAL HERRMANNS-GLANDS - A CASE-REPORT AND REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

We present a case report of a cyst of Herrmann's glands. These glands have a vestigial origin and are present in more than 50 % of the popul ation. They are located in the posterior part of the anal duct. Their excretory duct, when it is permeable communicates with an anal krypt. They have their own microscopic, epithelial characteristics, and produ ce a mucoid secretion. They can cause acute (abcess) or chronic (fistu la) infections of the peri-ano-rectal region. Cancer or cystic transfo rmations are exceptional but typical. All these characteristics are so specific that Herrmann's glands cannot be longer denied as a distinct clinical entity.