[Clinical aspects of urethral diverticula]

Abstract

Experience with the treatment of 39 cases of urethral diverticula between the years 1954 and 1974 is reported. The patients were 32 women and 7 men. In 7 cases (3 women and 4 men) the condition was congenital in origin. In 30 patients the first symptoms appeared between the 31st and 60th year. In a 12 months old infant a hazelnut sized diverticulum in the posterior urethra caused complete ischuria. In two-third of the patients symptoms of cystitis dominated, dyspareunia in women (8%) and prostatitis in men (16%) had a lower incidence. 80% of the diverticula were infected; they contained stones in 3 cases. In one case the diverticulum recurred and histology revealed in its wall a planocellular carcinoma. Thirty-five patients were subjected to operation. Postoperative fistula developed in 3 cases which had to be re-operated. In cases of recurring urethritis, cystitis and prostatitis, urography is recommended, since the symptoms might be due to the presence of urethral diverticula.