Urethral diverticula: evolving diagnostics and improved surgical management

Transvaginal surgical repair of large urethral diverticula with bipedicle double-opposing flaps of the periurethral fascia

PURPOSE

The aims of this study were to describe a novel technique for transvaginal repair of large (> 4 cm) female urethral diverticulum (UD) using bipedicle double-opposing flaps of the periurethral fascia and to evaluate long-term follow-up.

METHODS

The medical records of 29 women who underwent transvaginal excision of UD at our institution were reviewed retrospectively. Seventeen cases with UD > 4 cm were included in the study. Cystourethroscopy was performed at the beginning of the surgery, and in 60% of cases the orifice of the diverticulum was identified. An inverted-U incision was performed at the vaginal anterior wall. The periurethral fascia was incised longitudinal at the midline and parallel to the urethra. The diverticular sac was dissected and resected. The neck of the diverticulum was closed with 4/0 vicryl suture. The periurethral fascia was sutured using bipedicle double-opposing flaps with interrupted 3/0 vircyl suture. The vaginal mucosa was sutured with 2/0 vicryl continuous suture.

RESULTS

All 17 women with large UD were operated on using bipedicle double-opposing flaps of the periurethral fascia. Follow-up of 5 ± 2.4 years yielded no recurrence and no other late complications.

CONCLUSION

Using bipedicle double-opposing flaps of the periurethral fascia during transvaginal excision of large UD is safe and effective.

Ultrasonographic Features of Female Urethral Diverticula: A Retrospective Study of 25 Patients

OBJECTIVES

This article summarizes the ultrasonographic features of female urethral diverticula on biplane transrectal ultrasound (B-TRUS).

METHODS

A retrospective study was performed with 25 consecutive women who were diagnosed and treated as having urethral diverticulum (UD) between January 2012 and March 2016. All the patients were preoperatively evaluated using B-TRUS. The number, location, configuration, size, and type of the UD on B-TRUS were assessed.

RESULTS

Twenty-eight diverticula were found on B-TRUS. Twenty-two patients had single diverticulum, whereas the other 3 had double diverticula. The locations included proximal (14%), mid (46%), and distal (40%) urethra. In transverse section, the configuration presented as round or oval (46%), and horseshoe-like or circumferential (54%). The maximal diameter of the 28 diverticula ranged from 3 to 48 mm. The types contained simple UD (36%) and complex UD (64%). Color blood flow signal could be detected in the septa, cystic wall, and solid mass, whereas negative in other areas inside the UD.

CONCLUSIONS

Various sonographic characters of female UD could be observed during the evaluation, including single or multiple diverticula, different sites, diverse shapes, and septa, calculi, or neoplasm inside diverticulum, all of which could be clearly displayed on B-TRUS.

Diagnosis of female diverticula using magnetic resonance imaging

We investigate the ability of physical exam to diagnose urethral diverticula with or without magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and exclusive of invasive modalities. A retrospective chart review of all women undergoing urethral diverticulectomy at our institution since 1999 was performed. We identified 28 female patients with a mean age at diagnosis of 42.6 years (range 18-66). Common presenting symptoms included dyspareunia, urgency, and frequency. Physical exam revealed a suspected urethral diverticulum in 26 (92.9%) patients, which was confirmed postoperatively in 17 of the 20 (85%) women who underwent surgical resection. Noninvasive imaging modalities (MRI or CT) were available for review in 20 (71%) cases and made the correct diagnosis of urethral diverticulum (presence or absence) in 19 (95%) patients. In those patients with symptoms of stress or urge incontinence (11, 39%), voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG) was performed. Urethral diverticula are often easily diagnosed on physical exam. MRI can be a useful adjunct for defining diverticular extent in surgical planning, especially for proximal and complex diverticula, and should be the modality of choice if clinical suspicion is high based on patient symptoms and physical exam.

Transvaginal sonography in the diagnosis, management and follow-up of complex paraurethral abnormalities

Most urethral diverticula are thought to result from infection and obstruction of the paraurethral ducts and glands. When rupture of a resulting retention cyst or abscess occurs into the urethra, a diverticulum is formed. We report two cases of paraurethral abnormalities: urethral diverticulum and paraurethral abscess. Transvaginal sonography, with its high-resolution visualization of the lower urinary tract, may aid in the diagnosis and treatment of such disorders. Using three-dimensional technology, the internal architecture of the paraurethral abnormalities and their spatial relationship to the urethra and bladder, important considerations at surgery, are clearly demonstrated on ultrasonography. Complete excision of complex paraurethral anomalies may be performed under transvaginal sonographic monitoring without inadvertent injury to the bladder or urethra.

[Female urethral diverticulum. Report of a case]

PURPOSE

We describe the successful repair of a large and complex urethral diverticulum in a female by transvaginal approach. Epidemiology, diagnostic methods, treatments and complications of female urethral diverticula are reviewed.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A 35-year-old woman with a history of postvoid dribbling, dyspareunia and recurrent urinary tract infections for 4 months was referred. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated two fluido-filled collections in the pelvis of 3.5 and 1 cm in size respectively which may be a very large and complex diverticulum, however, Bartholin gland cyst could not be rule out. Cystourethroscopy revealed a urethral diverticulum at 10 mm from the bladder neck with two ostia. It was performed transvaginal diverticulectomy and an anterior vaginal wall flap was placed. The published literature on female urethral diverticula was identified using a Pubmed Medline search and analysed.

RESULTS

Convalescence was unremarkable. Suprapubic cystostomy tube was removed 2 weeks after surgery. The patient regained normal voiding. In the published literature there are no agreement neither in the diagnostic nor in the surgical techniques for female urethral diverticula.

CONCLUSIONS

Urethral diverticula are diagnosed with increasing frequency. However, this entity continues to be overlooked because the symptoms may mimic other disorders. Cystourethroscopy, retrograde urethrograme using a double balloon catheter and recently magnetic resonance imaging may diagnose this disease. The cure rate of urethral diverticula with appropriate surgical management has a range of 86-100%. Complete excision through the anterior vaginal wall is the most successful treatment modality with minimum postoperative complications.

Endorectal coil magnetic resonance imaging for diagnosis of urethral and periurethral pathologic findings in women

OBJECTIVES

To report our experience with endorectal coil magnetic resonance imaging (ERC-MRI) in the evaluation of female patients with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). We present the results of symptomatic patients who underwent this imaging modality, to better define its use and to try to identify applications relevant to everyday clinical practice.

METHODS

We reviewed retrospectively 140 consecutive patients who presented with LUTS and underwent ERC-MRI between June 1997 and June 2000. Assessment included history, physical examination, urodynamic studies, and other radiologic evaluations (such as voiding cystourethrogram). Patients were divided into five groups on the basis of the main indication for ordering the MRI. The results in the subgroups of patients who had repeat ERC-MRI and transvaginal urethrolysis were also analyzed.

RESULTS

Findings consistent with periurethral fibrosis were detected in 52% of the patients, most frequently in those with symptoms suggestive of, or with urodynamic evidence of, obstruction. Ten percent of the patients were found to have urethral diverticula; in 54% of this group, the diagnosis was made solely by MRI. Repeat ERC-MRI showed either periurethral fibrosis or a urethral diverticulum in most patients (17 of 22). No correlation was observed between the subjective estimate of scar tissue during urethrolysis and the amount determined by the interpretation of the images.

CONCLUSIONS

Our 3-year experience suggests that ERC-MRI may help better define the diagnosis of urethral and periurethral pathologic features in female patients with LUTS. With improved patient selection, ERC-MRI will likely have a role in evaluating women with symptoms difficult to explain by other diagnostic modalities.