Female urethral diverticulum. Clinical aspects and a presentation of 15 cases.

OBJECTIVE

Fifteen patients with female urethral diverticulum (FUD) were referred during nine years. In order to point out the symptomatology and findings and to evaluate the treatment we have reviewed these patients.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of 15 women treated with transvaginal diverticulectomy. The technique is described.

RESULTS

The median age was 54 years. All the patients had symptoms of lower urinary tract disorder. The time from the first appearance of symptoms to referral was median 2 years (range, 4 days 30 years). Seventy-five percent of the cases had a pronounced tenderness. In 14 patients a suburethral mass could be found. Purulent material could be expressed in twelve cases. Three patients with symptoms for more than 10 years were characterized by stress incontinence and frequency and recurrent cystitis. No single diagnostic test proved to be specific for FUD. In eight patients (53%) the indication for operation was based only on symptomatology and the presence of a suburethral mass.

CONCLUSION

Diverticulum of the urethra is to be suspected in women with unexplained lower urinary tract symptoms. We recommend a collaboration of the two specialties: Gynaecology and Urology.