Urethral diverticulum mimicking anterior vaginal wall prolapse: case report

Anterior vaginal cyst mimicking pelvic organ prolapse: Case report and literature review

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE

Large Anterior vaginal cysts can manifest as symptomatic genital prolapse, posing a diagnostic challenge due to their uncommon clinical presentation.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 22-year-old primiparous woman with no previous medical history is admitted for delivery. Examination revealed a cystic mass on the anterior vaginal wall. Perineal ultrasound confirmed an independent cyst measuring 45x40x35 mm. The cyst was successfully aspirated, and the patient delivered without complications. At 12 months, the cyst reappeared, requiring vaginal surgical excision. Histological examination identified a Gartner cyst. During follow-up at 6 and 12 months, the patient remained asymptomatic.

CLINICAL DISCUSSION

Vaginal cysts typically present as small, solitary, and symptomless. However, they can grow in size, mimicking other conditions and often being misdiagnosed as cystoceles. Consequently, surgical excision of the vaginal cysts is the preferred treatment option, yielding positive anatomical outcomes and high patient satisfaction levels.

CONCLUSIONS

In this report, we describe a rare case of a Gartner cyst found on the anterior vaginal wall. The report also underscores the crucial role of imaging in accurately identifying the cyst's location, assessing its association with adjacent tissues, and guiding the surgeon in devising an effective operative plan.

Urethral Diverticulum in Women: Retrospective Case Series

PURPOSE

We present the management of 17 cases of urethral diverticulum in our department. We describe the various clinical presentations of urethral diverticulum, which may mimic other pelvic floor disorders and result in diagnostic delay.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We reviewed 17 cases of urethral diverticulum presented to the urogynaecology department between January 2006 and February 2011 retrospectively. Patient demographics, history, clinical evaluation, diagnostic modalities, and management plans were reviewed. All of them underwent Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) prior to the procedure.

RESULTS

The mean time from onset of symptoms to diagnosis of a urethral diverticulum was 24 ± 5.6 months. MRI identified the urethral diverticulum in all cases while voiding cystourethrography confirmed the diagnosis in 4 (23.5 %). They have been divided into two groups: Group A, (4-6 mm largest axis range) 5 (29.41 %) cases; Group B, (6-33 mm largest axis range) 12(70.59 %). All in Group A were symptomatic with recurrent Urinary Tract Infection (UTI), whereas only 8 (66.6 %) in Group B were symptomatic. Transvaginal diverticulectomy was done in 12 women who were symptomatic (70.5 %). Postoperative evaluation revealed complete resolution of symptoms, such as recurrent UTI, dysuria, and dyspareunia. One patient was unsure of surgery, while conservative approach was opted for asymptomatic patients 4 (23.5 %). The use of preoperative MRI altered the management in 2 (11.7 %) women.

CONCLUSION

The diagnosis of urethral diverticulum should be considered in women with recurrent UTI, dysuria, dyspareunia, and irritative voiding symptoms not responding to conservative therapy.

Surgical management of urethral diverticula in women: a systematic review

Urethral diverticula (UD) are pouch-like outgrowths of the urethral lumen and surgery is by far the most common approach in symptomatic patients. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate surgical techniques and outcomes in adult women with urethral diverticula. Our secondary objective was to determine the types of study designs. A systematic review of the literature was conducted. Medline, Cinahl and Embase were used as data sources. One hundred and eight studies, including 1,947 patients, remained for final analysis. We summarised 40 single case reports and 68 case series. Overall, transvaginal resection of the UD ± reconstruction was performed in the majority of patients (84 %), followed by marsupialisation (3.8 %) and transurethral endoscopic unroofing (2.0 %). Various other surgical techniques were reported in 181 out of 1,858 cases (9.7 %). Nineteen studies, dealing with 584 patients in all, evaluated a combination of vaginal diverticulectomy with an additional surgical procedure. Fifty-six out of 108 studies (52 %) documented the resolution of symptoms, describing 717 out of 1,044 patients in all being completely symptom-free after surgery. Only 50 out of 108 studies (46.2 %) provided detailed information on the length of follow-up, but showed a poor reporting standard regarding prognosis. Complications were studied only selectively. Because of the inconsistency of these data, it was impossible to analyse them collectively. There were no comparative studies on the different types of surgery in women with urethral diverticula. Overall, the non-comparative nature of the current evidence on the surgical management of UD does not allow any accurate estimation of success and complication rates.

Urethral Diverticulum Masquerading as Anterior Vaginal Wall Cyst: A Diagnostic Dilemma

Urethral diverticulum (UD) is a condition in which a variably sized outpouching forms, next to the urethra. Because it connects to the urethra, this outpouching repeatedly gets filled with urine during micturition, thus causing symptoms. In females, it presents as a bulge in anterior vagina, mimicking a vaginal wall cyst. Various aetiologies proposed attributing to urethral diverticulum formation is repeated infection of the periurethral gland, childbirth trauma, iatrogenic and urethral instrumentation. Patients of UD present with non specific irritative lower urinary tract symptoms such as increased frequency, urgency and dysuria; symptoms may not correlate with the size of the diverticulum. Recurrent cystitis or urinary tract infection is seen in one-third of patients. Pain, hematuria, post-void dribbling, dyspareunia, urinary retention or incontinence is other symptoms. In some cases, there may be associated urethral calculi or carcinoma. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is highly sensitive and specific for the diagnosis of UD, although non invasive sonography may be the first line investigation. Treatment is by transvaginal diverticulectomy or marsupialization. A 60-year-old P9L6 postmenopausal lady, presented with a tender, hard suburethral anterior vaginal wall mass. Cystourethroscopy revealed a small opening in posterior urethra, with stone visible through it. With the final diagnosis of suburethral diverticulum with retained multiple calculi, excision of the diverticulum and repair of urethra was done vaginally. Correct evaluation and treatment of this condition can lead to avoidance of urinary tract injury.

Urethral diverticula in women

Female urethral diverticula are rare, benign epithelium-lined outpouchings of the female urethra. Patients can present with a multitude of symptoms, most commonly urinary incontinence, recurrent UTIs and dyspareunia. These presenting symptoms are often confused with other diagnoses leading to delayed diagnosis or misdiagnosis. Diagnosis and preoperative assessment of bladder function is most accurate using a combination of clinical examination, T2-weighted postvoid MRI and videocystometrography. Best treatment is by vaginal excision, a procedure with a very low recurrence rate and high patient acceptability. Excision also results in high cure rates for associated dyspareunia, UTI and voiding dysfunction. Pre-existing urodynamically proven stress urinary incontinence (USUI) resolves in 50% of patients after excision of the diverticulum with Martius labial fat pad interposition without the need for further treatment. Potential adverse effects after surgery are new-onset USUI, urethrovaginal fistula and urethral stricture. The rate of onset of these potential adverse effects is low and related to the preoperative appearance of the diverticulum on an MRI scan and the complexity of the diverticulum.