Urethral diverticulum (UD) is a situation where the variably sized “pocket” or outpouching forms after to the urethra. Since it often connects to the urethra, this outpouching frequently gets filled with urine through the act of urination thereby causing symptoms.
CAUSES:
The origin of acquired UD has now-a-days been attributed to repetitive infections and obstruction of the periurethral glands with following obstruction eventually developing into UD. Even though some earlier studies have defined the congenital causes or experienced trauma at the time of childbirth. There are glands in the urethra that get obstructed and as a result of outpouching of the gland will occur and this is termed as urethral diverticulum.
SYMPTOMS:
Urethral diverticula are generally asymptomatic and symptoms that are present tend to be nonspecific. Common symptoms of urethral diverticulum may include: incontinence, pain during sex, urinary frequency and urgency, and pain during urination. Other symptoms may includes such as pain localized to the urethra or pelvis and repeated urinary tract infection.
When urethral diverticulum becomes more severe, a painful mass can occasionally be felt inside the introitus of the vagina, thereby discharge pus. If the mass are bleeds or hard, complications like kidney cancer or may be present.
DIAGNOSIS:
It can be diagnosed by using magnetic resonance imaging and micturating cystourethrography. Other tests that may be used to diagnose urethral diverticulum involves intravenous urography, urethroscopy and ultrasound. Circumstances that can be distinguished from urethral diverticulum in a differential diagnosis may includes overactive bladder, ectopic caeco-ureterocele, Gartner’s duct cyst, pelvic inflammatory disease, Gartner’s duct abscess, interstitial cystitis, endometriosis and cancer.
The primary treatment of urethral diverticulum is surgery. The surgery was performed transvaginally, generally when there was no acute inflammation to enhanced aid dissection of the weak tissues.
