Ultrasonographic Imaging Features of Female Urethral and Peri-urethral Masses: A Retrospective Study of 95 Patients

Evaluation and management of urethral and periurethral masses in women

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Female periurethral masses are an uncommon occurrence. The purpose of this review is to describe etiologies of female urethral and periurethral masses and to provide an update on diagnosis and management.

RECENT FINDINGS

The most common causes of periurethral and urethral masses in women are urethral caruncles, urethral diverticula, and Skene's gland cysts. Urethral meatal lesions such as urethral caruncles and prolapse can be managed conservatively with topical estrogen therapy and close follow-up or should be excised in the setting of thrombosis, significant or recurrent bleeding, acute urinary retention, or persistent pain. Benign periurethral gland masses, such as Skene's gland cysts, Gartner's duct cysts, and Mullerian duct cysts, remain rare. Recent case series reveal a high rate of surgical management of these lesions with few complications. Urethral malignancy or malignant transformation of benign etiologies are even rarer but can be aggressive in nature and should be treated promptly.

SUMMARY

Nonspecific urinary and vaginal symptoms as well as similar physical presentations make diagnosis of urethral and periurethral lesions in females difficult. Magnetic resonance imaging is useful for differentiation of periurethral masses. The decision for conservative or surgical management is typically guided by patient symptom bother, as well as concern for urethral malignancy.

Management of Primary Female Urethral Adenocarcinoma: Two Rare Case Reports and Literature Review

Primary urethral adenocarcinoma in females is an extremely rare malignancy with unclear origin and only a few retrospective cases have been reported. The controversy continues to exist over the origin of primary urethral adenocarcinoma from periurethral glands (which include the Skene's glands), urethritis glandularis or intestinal metaplasia. Herein, we report one case of a 49-year-old female with distal urethral adenocarcinoma who presented with obstructive voiding. Abdominal and pelvic CT scans and chest radiology were unremarkable. Biopsy of the mass confirmed urethral adenocarcinoma. The patient underwent partial ureterectomy and was disease-free at the 2-years follow-up period. We also present another extremely rare case of primary urethral adenocarcinoma with mucinous features in a 58-year-old female who initially complained of external urethral orifice itching with painless urethral bleeding and was treated with local excision. The patient has not received any neoadjuvant or adjuvant therapy, and experienced tumor recurrence, inguinal lymph nodes metastasis, and even local iliopsoas metastasis during over 10-years follow-up. In conclusion, our current study emphasizes the importance of imaging studies and biopsy in making an accurate preoperative diagnosis of this rare disease, and further highlights the role of multimodal therapy. A combination of radiotherapy, chemotherapy and surgery is recommended for the optimal local and distant disease control. Moreover, better medical compliance and regular follow-up are required in these patients.

Long-term follow up of paraurethral leiomyoma: A case report and literature review

BACKGROUND

Paraurethral fibroid is a rare condition. To date, there is no unified protocol to guide long-term follow up in this condition. This study reviewed case reports and summaries published in the last 10 years and focused on the management plans and follow up of patients with paraurethral fibroids.

CASE PRESENTATION

We report the case of a 44-year-old woman who presented with urinary symptoms. Clinical examination and magnetic resonance imaging revealed an approximately 3 × 3 cm mass which was considered as a paraurethral fibroid. Complete surgical excision was performed. The patient was discharged with no postoperative complications. Histopathology confirmed the diagnosis of a benign leiomyoma.

CONCLUSIONS

Paraurethral fibroid is a rare condition which can be diagnosed with a high level of certainty based on clinical examination and imaging. A multidisciplinary team which includes experienced radiologists and urogynecologists or urologists who have the expertise to perform vaginal surgery with urethral reconstruction is essential for definitive management. Long-term follow up for expected possible complications is advisable. Further research with a larger number of cases is needed to recommend an evidence-based protocol for management of paraurethral fibroid.

The ultrasonographic characteristics of female periurethral solid masses

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS

Studies on the imaging of female periurethral masses are sparse, and most are focused on cystic lesions. In this article, we studied female periurethral solid masses and reported their ultrasonographic features.

METHODS

Fifteen women with periurethral solid masses pathologically diagnosed between January 2008 and April 2021 were assessed.

RESULTS

Each patient had only one mass. The pathological types included urethral caruncle (5 patients), urethral leiomyoma (3 patients), urethral malignant tumor (MT) (3 patients), periurethral spindle tumor (3 patients) and cartilage necrosis of pubic symphysis (PS) (1 patient). On ultrasound, all urethral caruncles were located at the urethral meatus. They were hypoechoic/isoechoic and rich in blood flow signal. Each leiomyoma presented as a well-defined hypoechoic mass with an oval shape. The urethral MT had inhomogeneous/isoechoic echoes, with medium to abundant blood flow signal. The spindle cell tumors had regular/irregular shapes, moderate/high density echogenicity and little/rich blood flow signals. The articular cartilage necrosis of PS was regular in shape, with mixed echogenicity and no blood flow.

CONCLUSIONS

Ultrasound imaging is a convenient and useful method to evaluate the morphological characteristics of female periurethral solid masses.