Urethral diverticulum
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
- Urethral diverticulum has been reported in 1.4% of women with stress urinary incontinence.
- Female urethral diverticulum is currently thought to be acquired.
- Usually located posterolateral to the urethra
- Female urethral diverticula have a variety of shapes and configurations.
- Diverticula may be single or multiple, unilocular or multicompartmental.
- Urethral diverticula may have either a wide or narrow neck.
- Urethral diverticula may surround the urethra ("saddle" diverticula).
- The classic manifestation of urethral diverticulum has been described as the three Ds (dysuria, postvoid dribbling, and dyspareunia).
- Urethral diverticula may be complicated by infection, stone formation (up to 10% of patients), and malignant degeneration.
- The definitive treatment of urethral diverticula is transvaginal diverticulectomy.
Patient #1: CT image demonstrates a urethral diverticulum
