A Urethral Diverticulum is a rare condition where a pouch or sac forms along the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body. The pouch may leak some urine, causing pain during urination, frequent urinary tract infections, and difficulty in releasing urine from the bladder. The condition mainly affects women but can occur in men as well. Infectious, traumatic, or congenital abnormalities may cause a Urethral Diverticulum.
Urethral Diverticulum Symptoms
The clinical features of a Urethral Diverticulum are pain or discomfort during urination, frequent urinary tract infections, urinary leakage between urinations, urinary urgency, and frequency. Furthermore, a patient will experience a feeling of incomplete bladder emptying.
Some might have pelvic pain, dyspareunia (pain during sexual intercourse), or observable swelling near the urethral opening. Symptoms can increase with time and become worse if left unaddressed. Early diagnosis and treatment can help combat the pain and avert the side effects.
Urethral Diverticulum Diagnosis
Diagnosing a Urethral Diverticulum is based on a careful review of medical history, thorough physical examination, and specific tests. During the physical inspection, a healthcare professional may press the skin around the urinary opening to check for any signs of pain or swelling.
However, in some cases, imaging methods like ultrasound, MRI, or voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG) may be performed to see the diverticulum and assess its size and location. Besides that, cystoscopy, where a thin tube with a camera is inserted into the urethra, may be performed to see the diverticulum and surrounding tissue directly.
These diagnostic measures confirm the presence of a Urethral Diverticulum and allow the healthcare team to decide on the best possible treatment plan.
Urethral Diverticulum Treatment
The treatment of Urethral Diverticulum varies based on the severity of the symptoms. Mild cases with negligible symptoms may be controlled with warm sitz baths, antibiotics for urinary tract infections, and bilateral urine drainage through a catheter from the verge of the diverticulum.
While conservative treatments are practicable in mild symptom cases, surgical intervention may be considered when the patient is suffering from severe or intractable symptoms.
The surgical options are of two types: diverticulectomy (removal of diverticulum) and marsupialization (creating a new opening for drainage). The surgical option is chosen based on the size of the diverticulum or the site where it has developed.
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