[Diverticula of the female urethra. A radiological and ultrasound study]

Abstract

The authors analyzed the clinical, radiographic and sonographic findings of diverticulum of the female urethra, reporting on 47 cases. Lower urinary tract infections, urgency and post-urinary dribbling were the most common symptoms. Either voiding cystourethrography or positive pressure urethrography was carried out in all patients, while US was performed in 18 cases only. Radiographs showed diverticula to be usually solitary (87%); their size ranged from 1 to 3 cm (72%). They were most commonly found in the mid-third of the urethra (83%), and stones were present in 12.7% of patients. Suprapubic and transrectal US demonstrated cystic lesions, usually dyshomogeneous, located under the bladder base and the uterine cervix. The authors believe that both examinations should be performed, as they provide with complementary information. X-ray study allows the evaluation of the exact number and position of diverticula, while US demonstrates both the extension of inflammatory changes and the size of diverticula not completely filled during voiding cystourethrography.