Diverticulum of the Female Urethra –always Topical

Overview

Objective:
An importance of knowledge of etiology,pathogenesis,diagnosis,differential diagnosisand treatment of female urethral diverticulum in urogynaecological practise.Design:A review article.Setting:Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department and Urology Department,Charles University 2 ndMedical School and Teaching Hospital Motol,Prague.Subject:Often unrecognized or incorrectly diagnosed,urethral diverticulum may be completelyasymptomatic or may produce significant symptomathology,such as recurrent urinary tract infections and irritative or obstructive complaints.A full history and careful physical examinationare the first steps in screening.Diagnosis is usually made by voiding cystourethrography,positivepressure urethrography,urethroscopy or introital ultrasonography.Complete excision throughthe anterior vaginal wall is the most successful treatment modality with minimum postoperativecomplications.Concomitant bladder neck suspension can be performed in women with diverticulum and documented stress urinary incontinence.Conclusion:Urethral diverticula may mimic other pelvic floor disorders and result in diagnosticdelay.It is partly due to a lack o awareness among clinicians and partly because the conditionoverlaps the traditional territories o gynaecologists and urologists.The collaboration of bothspecialists in the diagnostics and treatment of female urethral diverticula is recommended.

Key words:
urethral diverticulum,female urethra,urethral diseases,urinary incontinence