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Urethral diverticula: a diagnostic dilemma
Author(s) -
Rufford Jane,
Cardozo Linda
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
bju international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.773
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1464-410X
pISSN - 1464-4096
DOI - 10.1111/j.1464-410x.2004.05125.x
Subject(s) - medicine , nocturia , urethral diverticulum , lower urinary tract symptoms , presentation (obstetrics) , stress incontinence , referral , urinary system , urinary incontinence , bladder outlet obstruction , surgery , diverticulum (mollusc) , urethra , prostate , family medicine , cancer
OBJECTIVE To review the urethral diverticula encountered in a tertiary‐referral urogynaecology unit. PATIENTS AND METHODS The case‐notes of all women who had a diverticulectomy between March 1996 and May 2001 were reviewed. Demographic details, symptoms at presentation, duration of symptoms before diagnosis, investigations, operative details, postoperative complications and symptoms at follow‐up were considered. RESULTS In all, 18 women had had a urethral diverticulectomy. The median (range) time from presentation to diagnosis was 9.5 (2–96) months. The symptoms before surgery were variable; after surgery there were significant improvements in the symptoms of frequency, terminal dribbling and recurrent urinary tract infections ( P < 0.05). There was no improvement in urgency, urge incontinence, nocturia and stress incontinence. Eleven of the 18 diverticula were palpable on vaginal examination. Video cysto‐urethrography was used in 15 women and the diverticulum was seen in 14. In addition, seven women had additional lower urinary tract pathology. CONCLUSIONS Urethral diverticula have no classical presentation; they often present with many symptoms and it is important that the diagnosis is not overlooked. Video cysto‐urethrography is a good diagnostic test and allows the simultaneous evaluation of function of the whole of the lower urinary tract.