Three female patients with a periurethral mass: from various complaints to rare pathology

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.