Villar's Nodule - Umbilical Endometriosis

Villar's Nodule

Umbilical endometriosis, also called Villar’s Nodule,

was first described by Villar in1886. It is extremely

rare, the incidence being only 0.5-0.1% of all women

with extra gonadal or external endometriosis. This

condition should not be mistaken for scar endometriosis

occurring in a subumbilical incision scar.

In the late 19th century, the term endometriosis was

coined by Sampson to characterize ectopic tissue,

possessing histologic architecture and function of the

uterine endometrium. Endometriosis involving the

subcutaneous tissues of the umbilicus must be suspected

in a woman presenting with localised cyclical pain and

swelling, in association with menstruation.

The most common sites for extra gonadal

endometriosis are the gastrointestinal tract, especially

the rectum, colon, and the peritoneal surfaces. Ureteral

or urinary bladder involvement is also known to occur

and could result in cyclical pain and hematuria during

menstruation. Pulmonary involvement could manifest as

pneumothorax, hemothorax or hemoptysis during

menstruation. External endometriosis, involving the

subcutaneous tissues, has also been reported in the

vicinity of a surgical scar following surgeries such as

hysterectomy, hysterotomy, cesarean section, episiotomy

and laparoscopy.