Urethral diverticulum in women: diverse presentations resulting in diagnostic delay and mismanagement

PURPOSE: We describe various clinical presentations of urethral diverticulum, which may mimic other pelvic floor disorders and result in diagnostic delay. Management and outcome results are reported. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed retrospectively 46 consecutive cases of urethral diverticulum. Patient characteristics, history, clinical evaluation, management and long-term followup are reported. RESULTS: Mean patient age plus or minus standard deviation was 36.3 +/- 11.7 years. Most (83%) cases were referred as diagnostic dilemmas with symptoms present for 3 months to 27 years. Mean interval between onset of symptoms to diagnosis was 5.2 years. The most common symptoms were pain (48% of cases), urinary incontinence (35%), dyspareunia (24%) and frequency/urgency (22%). The number of physicians previously consulted ranged from 3 to 20 and prior therapies included oral and/or vaginal medications, anti-incontinence surgery and psychotherapy. The diverticulum was palpable on examination in 24 patients (52%), in only 6 of whom was it possible to "milk" contents per meatus. Of these 24 palpable diverticula 2 contained malignancy, and 2 others contained endometriosis and stones, respectively. Diagnosis was made by voiding cystourethrography in 30 cases (65%), double balloon urethrography in 5 (11%) and transvaginal ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging in 7 (15%). Diverticula were incidental findings during vaginal surgery in 4 cases (9%). Treatment consisted of diverticulectomy and/or Martius flap, pubovaginal sling and urethral reconstructive procedures when indicated in 35 cases (76%), and 2 other patients underwent radical surgery for diverticular malignancy. Subsequently all but 2 patients with pain were cured. In another patient de novo stress incontinence developed postoperatively. None of the patients who underwent concomitant pubovaginal sling had postoperative incontinence. CONCLUSIONS: The symptoms of urethral diverticulum may mimic other disorders. This condition should be considered in women with pelvic pain, urinary incontinence and irritative voiding symptoms not responding to therapy. Surgical treatment is usually effective in alleviating associated symptoms.     

DETECTION OF URETHRAL DIVERTICULA IN WOMEN: COMPARISON OF A HIGH RESOLUTION FAST SPIN ECHO TECHNIQUE WITH DOUBLE BALLOON URETHROGRAPHY

Purpose

We compared a rapid high resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique to contrast urethrography for the detection of urethral diverticula in women.

Materials and Methods

During a 19-month interval 13 patients with clinically suspected urethral diverticula were evaluated with MRI and contrast urethrography. All patients were referred by a urologist, and had clinical signs and symptoms suggesting the presence of a urethral diverticulum. Double balloon urethrography was performed in 12 patients and voiding cystourethrography was done in 1. MRI was performed using a fast spin echo T2-weighted pulse sequence and a dedicated pelvic multicoil. Following a sagittal localizer sequence 3 mm. thick axial sections were obtained from the bladder base through the entire urethra. Total imaging time was 15 minutes.

Results

In 7 patients MRI and urethrography were negative for urethral diverticula, and in 3 cystourethroscopy was negative. In 1 patient MRI revealed a vaginal inclusion cyst confirmed by surgery. Three patients had no other studies or procedures performed. In 6 patients MRI was positive for urethral diverticula, including 4 in whom the diverticulum was confirmed at surgery, 1 who declined surgery and 1 who was lost to followup. Of the 4 patients (75%) with a surgically confirmed diverticulum double balloon urethrogram was negative in 3.

Conclusions

MRI is a valuable noninvasive technique for determining the presence of urethral diverticula as well as detecting other abnormalities. In our study MRI had a higher sensitivity for detecting diverticula and a much higher negative predictive rate.     

Urethral diverticula: a diagnostic dilemma

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.     

A ring-shaped stone in a female urethral diverticulum: case report and review of literature

The classic presentation of urethra diverticula has been described historically as the "3 Ds," meaning dysuria, dyspareunia, and dribbling. As the symptoms are not specific, urethral diverticulum may often be misdiagnosed. We report a case of a ring-shaped stone in a female urethral diverticulum, which was successfully treated surgically.     

Urethral diverticulum. Our casuistic and the literatura review

PurposeThe possible etiopathogenic factors, symptoms, diagnostic methods, surgical management and complications of the urethral diverticula are reviewed.Materials and methodsA retrospective study of the clinical charts with urethral diverticula diagnosis during the period 1986-2006 was carried out.ResultsIn the last 20 years a total of 19 patients have been treated for this pathology: 15 females and 4 males. Five of the females started with a sensation of vaginal mass; the rest were diagnosed of micturitional (irritative) syndrome, urinary incontinence or urinary infection. In the case of males, 3 of them had a palpable tumour in the penis. The most used diagnostic method was retrograde and voiding cystourethrography; urethrography with double-occlusion balloon catheter was used in 5 cases and urethroscopy in 4 patients; other techniques of image diagnosis like magnetic resonance imaging were necessary for the most complex cases. The treatment was the excision of the diverticulum, except for one of the females who rejected the treatment. The evolution in all treated women was successful, according to follow up 2 years after the treatment. In males, two of them had complex recurrent diverticula.ConclusionsUrethral diverticula are nosologic entities of difficult diagnosis, due to their low prevalence and their unspecific clinic, therefore diagnosis is sometimes incidental. The etiopathogenity is acquired in most cases and its surgical treatment is more challenging in males than in females probably linked to the fact that diverticula appear in urethras with previous surgery, endourologic manipulation or associated injuries.     

A tertiary experience of urethral diverticulectomy: diagnosis,imaging and surgical outcomes

OBJECTIVE

To review the outcomes of consecutive patients referred with urethral diverticula to a tertiary centre; to investigate the diagnostic, imaging and surgical factors relevant to success.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A retrospective case note review of 30 consecutive patients treated between January 1999–2007 was performed and data retrieved on demographics, presenting symptoms, preoperative imaging, surgical technique, outcomes and need for further intervention.

RESULTS

All patients were tertiary referrals, four after failed local repairs. The mean (range) interval between initial presentation and repair was 48 (1–264) months. Only seven patients (23%) had all three symptoms of the classical triad of dysuria, dyspareunia and dribble, whilst 23% did not have any of these symptoms. Transvaginal ultrasonography showed the diverticulum in six of nine patients, voiding cysto‐urethrography (VCUG) in 13 of 18 patients (72%) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in all 11 patients assessed. MRI accurately imaged diverticular configuration, whilst VCUG assessed detrusor and sphincteric function. Twenty‐nine (97%) patients were cured of their diverticulum; all 19 patients with simple diverticula were cured at first attempt, whilst 17 procedures were performed on the 11 patients with complex diverticula. Twenty of 24 (83%) repairs were successful using three‐layered closure, 9 of 11 using Martius interposition, and one using bulbospongiosus muscle interposition. There were three primary repair failures; two circumferential diverticula repaired with Martius interposition and one partial horseshoe diverticulum repaired without interposition had partial recurrences. Both were subsequently repaired successfully. One patient with chronic urethral pain from multiple, infected recurrences was eventually diverted. A pubovaginal sling procedure was required in only one (3.3%) patient with persistent pre‐existing stress urinary incontinence (SUI).

CONCLUSIONS

The presentation of urethral diverticula is diverse and diagnosis frequently delayed. The most useful preoperative imaging is MRI and VCUG to assess diverticular anatomy and detrusor/urethral function, respectively. In simple cases, transvaginal excision with three‐layer closure is curative, whilst more extensive, persistent or SUI‐associated diverticula require Martius fat interposition. Sling procedures can be deferred until the results of primary excision are assessed.     

Long-term outcomes after the excision of horseshoe urethral diverticulum

Introduction and hypothesis

The objective was to report our long-term experience with horseshoe urethral diverticulum (HUD) excised using the urethral preservation technique.

Methods

Following IRB approval, charts of women who underwent HUD excision and had at least 6 months’ follow-up were reviewed. HUD was defined as a bilateral posterior diverticulum that extended laterally and anteriorly past 3 and 9 o’clock on the left and right sides respectively. HUD was diagnosed by pre-operative MRI. Success was defined as no evidence of residual diverticulum on post-operative imaging and the reported resolution of diverticulum symptoms.

Results

Between 1998 and 2014, 12 out of 15 women who underwent HUD excision met the inclusion criteria. Mean follow-up was 81 (median: 52, range: 7–163) months. Presenting symptoms included urinary leakage (n?=?8), dyspareunia (n?=?6), dysuria (n?=?6), frequency (n?=?5), urgency (n?=?5), and vaginal pain (n?=?8). Two patients reported having all three symptoms of the historic triad: dysuria, dyspareunia, and post-void dribbling. Three patients had prior urological interventions, including excision of a unilateral diverticulum, a Spence procedure, and a Skene gland incision. Only 1 patient had a recurrent HUD confirmed by MRI 10 years later, which required reoperation. HUD symptoms resolved in the remaining 11 patients, with post-operative imaging showing no evidence of recurrent HUD, and no further therapy was needed. Of 4 women who reported stress urinary incontinence (SUI) pre-operatively, only 2 reported SUI symptoms post-operatively. There were no cases of post-operative urethro-vaginal fistula.

Conclusion

At a mean follow-up of 6–7 years, excision of HUD with urethral preservation produced long-lasting resolution in the majority of patients.

     

Urethral diverticulum with massive lithiasis presenting as a scrotal mass

Urethral diverticula in men are uncommon clinical entities. Their clinical manifestations include urinary tract infection, hematuria, irritative or obstructive voiding symptoms, ventral bulging and displacement of the penile shaft. Male urethral diverticulum with massive lithiasis presenting as a scrotal mass with stress urinary incontinence as the main symptom is extremely rare. Herein, we present such a case.     

Leiomyoma of the female urethra: urodynamic changes after surgical intervention

Leiomyoma of the urethra is a relatively rare condition often presenting as an anterior vaginal wall mass or a mass that protrudes from the urethral meatus. We report on the urodynamic changes after vaginal surgery to remove a suburethral leiomyoma, which protruded from the vaginal orifice resulting in dysuria and dyspareunia. Urodynamic studies before the operation revealed a high detrusor pressure, low maximum flow rate with an elevated post-void residual urine on voluntary voiding, and high resting urethral resistance. Removal of the mass with proper reconstruction of paraurethral support restored normal detrusor pressure, maximum flow rate, and post-void residual, resulting in amelioration of her voiding difficulty and dyspareunia. The operative procedure did not affect leak point pressure and she is free from stress urinary incontinence.     

INEFFICIENT URETHRAL MILKING SECONDARY TO URETHRAL DYSFUNCTION AS AN ADDITIONAL RISK FACTOR FOR INCONTINENCE AFTER RADICAL PROSTATECTOMY

PURPOSE: Continence after radical prostatectomy is thought to depend completely on the striated urethral sphincter. However, some patients complain only of occasional post-void dribbling. Therefore, we determined whether urethral dysfunction may be another cause of incontinence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The sensory threshold of electric stimulation was measured by double ring electrodes in the membranous urethra and 2.5 cm. distal in 29 men before and in 29 after radical retropubic prostatectomy. In addition, voiding cystourethrography was performed in 66 patients before and in 49 after surgery to determine complete post-void urethral emptying or milking. RESULTS: The mean sensory threshold of the membranous urethra was 15 +/- 3 mA. preoperatively versus 38 +/- 17 postoperatively (p <0.0001). The sensory threshold 2.5 cm. further distal was 12 +/- 5 mA. before and 10 +/- 4 after radical prostatectomy, which was not statistically significant. Postoperatively in completely continent patients and in those with dribbling the mean threshold was 32 +/- 12 and 43 +/- 18 mA. in the membranous urethra (p = 0.09), and 11 +/- 4 and 9 +/- 4 mA. in the bulbar urethra, respectively, which was not statistically significant. Of the 66 patients 36 (55%) showed post-void urethral milking before surgery but only 8 of 49 (16%) showed it postoperatively (chi-square test p <0.0001), including 7 who were completely continent and 1 who complained of occasional post-void dribbling. CONCLUSIONS: After radical prostatectomy sensitivity of the membranous but not of the bulbar urethra is affected, correlating with postoperative continence. In addition, post-void dribbling seems to be associated with the loss of urethral milking. We conclude that preserving urethral function is another important continence factor after radical prostatectomy.     

Female urethral stricture disease

Female urethral stricture disease is a rare entity. The most common etiologies are traumatic injury, iatrogenic injury, and inflammatory disease resulting in periurethral fibrosis. Hallmark symptoms are frequency and urgency, and may also be dysuria, hesitancy, slow stream, incontinence, and recurrent urinary tract infections. Female bladder outlet obstruction is a difficult entity to define, and the subset representing stricture disease may also be elusive. The diagnosis of female urethral stricture disease is usually based on symptoms, meatal appearance, and difficult instrumentation of the patient. Other testing, such as urodynamics, voiding urography, or cystoscopy, may be helpful. Treatment options are conservative management with dilatation, endoscopic treatment, or open repair with various tissue flaps or grafts. Considerable controversy surrounds the efficacy of urethral dilatation in women with voiding dysfunction.     

Stress urinary incontinence as the presenting symptom of primary male urethral diverticulum-A case report and literature review

Primary male urethral diverticulum is quite uncommon. It is even more unusual for urinary incontinence to be a presenting symptom of primary male urethral diverticulum. Herein, we report on a 32-year-old male presenting with urine leakage on coughing or abdominal strain beginning from his early twenties. A congenital type bulbar urethral diverticulum is diagnosed by voiding cystourethrography and cystourethroscopy. Endoscopic unroofing of the diverticulum freed the patient from stress urinary incontinence after the surgery.     

Experience with management of posterior urethral injury associated with pelvic fracture

Review of records from 205 patients with pelvic fracture and hematuria revealed that 121 underwent urologic and radiographic evaluation. Of these patients 20 had severe posterior urethral injuries documented by urethrography of voiding cystourethrography: 9 underwent primary repair and 11 had delayed scrotal-inlay urethroplasty after initial cystostomy alone. Patients who underwent primary repair had a 77 per cent incidence of stricture, a 22 per cent incidence of incontinence and a 33 per cent incidence of impotency. Patients who underwent delayed closure had no incidence of stricture, incontinence or impotence. Patients in both groups had urinary tract infections. Simple cystostomy followed by delayed scrotal-inlay urethroplasty appears superior to primary realignment in the management of patients with posterior urethral injuries.     

Value of routine evaluation of the voiding phase when performing urodynamic testing in women with lower urinary tract symptoms

PURPOSE: Lower urinary tract symptoms in women are often evaluated by cystometrography. We only assessed the bladder response to filling and not the impact of abnormal voiding, which is known to cause lower urinary tract symptoms. We determined the prevalence of voiding abnormalities in women with lower urinary tract symptoms and compared cystometrography to cystometrography plus voiding pressure flow study for evaluating this condition. We also determined whether storage or voiding symptoms predicted abnormal voiding. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the records of 134 women who underwent video urodynamics with cystometrography and voiding pressure flow study to evaluate lower urinary tract symptoms. Patients with a history of neurological disease, grade 4 pelvic prolapse or a primary complaint of stress incontinence were excluded from study. All participants completed an American Urological Association symptom index and scores were subclassified as total, storage and voiding. A diagnosis was made in each case based on cystometrography findings, while any additional diagnoses when applicable were based on the voiding pressure flow study. Symptom scores were compared in women in whom the voiding study did and did not add information. RESULTS: Mean patient age was 53.1 years (range 19 to 90). Voiding studies added information in 44 cases (33%), including dysfunctional voiding in 16, obstruction due to a moderate cystocele in 6, primary bladder neck obstruction in 6, external-detrusor sphincter dyssynergia as the initial presentation of neurological disease in 5, obstruction after incontinence surgery in 3, urethral stricture in 3, post-void contraction mimicking symptoms in 2, impaired contractility in 2 and an obstructing urethral diverticulum in 1. A total of 32 patients (24%) did not void during the study. Those with voiding abnormalities had higher total and voiding but similar storage symptom scores (23.1 versus 18.5, 12.3 versus 8.0 and 10.8 versus 10.5 points, p = 0.0008, 0.0001 and 0.58, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Women with lower urinary tract symptoms may have voiding abnormalities that are missed by cystometrography only. Voiding studies are useful for properly diagnosing and treating such cases. Women with abnormal voiding seem to have more severe voiding symptoms than those without such abnormalities. Occult neurological disease may also be identified in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms and voiding abnormalities.     

Diagnosis and management of female urethral diverticulum

Female urethral diverticulum is a disorder that affects 1% to 6% of women. Women with diverticula may present with a variety of nonspecific genitourinary complaints, making the diagnosis challenging. Diagnosis is made by physical examination and can be confirmed with cystourethroscopy and/or radiographic imaging. Asymptomatic women can be managed conservatively, whereas treatment for symptomatic women usually involves a diverticulectomy. Potential complications from diverticulectomy include diverticulum recurrence, de novo stress incontinence, urethrovaginal fistula, urethral stricture, and recurrent urinary tract infections. This article reviews the etiology, differential diagnoses, evaluation, and management of female urethral diverticula.     

An update on urethral diverticula: Results from a large case series

IntroductionWe aimed to describe the presentation, investigations, and management of patients with urethral diverticula and to review the importance of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the diagnosis and surgical management of urethral diverticula.MethodsThis was a retrospective review of female patients who underwent urethral diverticulectomies. This study was approved by the research ethics review board. Data was collected on patient demographics, presenting symptoms, investigations performed, operative technique, and minimum of two-year followup.ResultsA total of 17 patients were included in this study, with a median age of 43 years. Most patients (70%) presented with a palpable vaginal lump; 64% presented with either lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) or recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs). Patients underwent a preoperative MRI, which demonstrated that 59% of diverticula were distal and 53% were locally round. These imaging findings were consistent with the operative findings. MRI also demonstrated communication between the urethral diverticulum and the urethral lumen in 80% of cases, compared to only 47% endoscopically.ConclusionsThe most common presentation of a woman with a urethral diverticulum is with either a palpable vaginal lump, LUTS, or recurrent UTIs. A high index of suspicion is required. Pelvic MRI appears to be an ideal imaging modality for the diagnosis of urethral diverticulum. A preoperative MRI is important to exclude alternative pathologies, appropriately counsel the patient, and assist with the surgical planning.     

Missed diagnosis of complete urethral transection after sling: the case for translabial ultrasound

ABSTRACT: Patients with complications of urethral sling placement for stress urinary incontinence are often treated for recurrent symptoms for years after initial reassuring evaluation. Translabial ultrasound is a noninvasive modality with minimal risks that can clearly diagnose urethral mesh complications. We present a 47-year-old premenopausal woman referred for treatment of urethral stricture and diverticulum 8 years after mesh sling placement. The diagnosis was made at an outside institution by voiding cystourethrogram and cystoscopy. However, translabial ultrasound confirmed the diagnosis of complete urethral transection, and the patient underwent a complex urethral reconstruction. Ultrasound should be used to evaluate patients with a history of urethral sling and persistent lower urinary tract symptoms. Referral to a center with advanced pelvic reconstruction services may be required.     

Cowper's gland duct cyst

Retention cysts of the duct of Cowper's gland have been reported rarely. Depending on the location and ize of the cyst a variety of symptoms may occur. Diminisihed urionary stream, urinary retention and bloody urethral discharge are most commonly observed.Differential diagnosis of Cowper's duct cysts includes mainly incomplete urrthral duplications and inflammatory or traumatic diverticula. The diagnosis is established by voiding cystourethrography, retrograde urethrography and cystoscopy. Endoscopy should be performed by passing the panendoscope under direct vision from the meatus proximally until the entrance into the cyst becomes visible.Endoscopic resection of the septum between urethra and Cowper's duct cyst is the treatment of choice providing relief of voiding symptoms.     

Scrotal mass with bladder outlet obstruction

A 71-year-old man presented with a 6-cm scrotal mass and urinary retention. He had had progressive voiding difficulty after an untreated urethral injury in a traffic accident 15 years before presentation. Retrograde urethrography showed an anterior urethral diverticulum with stone formation. He underwent open diverticulectomy and recovered well. Pathologic examination revealed the diverticulum was lined by granulation tissue. Male urethral diverticula are rare and can be congenital or acquired. An acquired urethral diverticulum, as shown in this case, often results from infection, stricture, or trauma. The diagnosis requires a detailed history, physical examination, imaging studies, and pathologic examination.     

Dysfunctional voiding in women

PURPOSE: We characterized presenting symptoms and urodynamic findings in women with dysfunctional voiding. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the charts of 26 women diagnosed with dysfunctional voiding. Those with a known or suspected history of neurological disease before evaluation were excluded from study. All patients completed an American Urological Association symptom index, and scores were classified as total, storage (irritative) and emptying (obstructive). The diagnosis of dysfunctional voiding was made on multichannel video urodynamics. There was increased external sphincter activity during voiding. Presenting symptoms and urodynamic findings in all cases were summarized. In addition, symptoms and urodynamic findings in patients later diagnosed with occult neurological disease were compared with those in patients without neurological disease. RESULTS: Mean patient age was 39.2 years (range 19 to 79). Mean total American Urological Association-7 score was 24.4 of 35. Frequency and urgency were the most common presenting symptoms in 82% of cases. Mean storage score was 11.3 of 15 and mean voiding score was 13.2 of 20. Urge and stress incontinence was noted in 6 (23%) and 4 patients (15%), respectively, while 11 (42%) had a history of recurrent urinary tract infection. Cystometrography revealed detrusor instability in 11 cases (42%), sensory urgency in 11 (42%) and impaired compliance in 2 (8%), including 1 with instability. There was great variability in voiding parameters. Mean maximum urinary flow plus or minus standard deviation was 10.4 +/- 6.2 cc per second, mean detrusor pressure at maximum urinary flow was 50.3 +/- 23.5 cm. water and mean post-void residual urine volume was 103.4 +/- 120.0 cc. Video urodynamics prompted neurological evaluation, which revealed occult neurological disease in 5 patients who were then reclassified with external-detrusor sphincter dyssynergia. CONCLUSIONS: Female patients presenting with lower urinary tract symptoms may have dysfunctional voiding patterns. Storage symptoms appear to be even more common than voiding symptoms in this study group. These patients tend to have decreased flow, increased voiding pressure and high post-void residual urine volume. However, there is wide variation in these parameters among individuals. Therefore, careful review of the voiding phase, including pelvic floor electromyography and the fluoroscopic appearance of the bladder outlet, is critical. Occult neurological disease should be suspected in patients with dysfunctional voiding.