Andrew Siegel MD 12/15/2018
This is a continuation of entries that deal with female urogenital maladies. Today’s entry is on the topic of urethral diverticula, out-pouchings of the inner lining of the urethral channel that cause a vaginal bulge and often makes for an unhappy patient. The good news is that this situation can be readily fixed. (For the record, diverticulum is singular, diverticula is plural.)
I’m not much of an artist, but I tried my best. On left is cross section of the urethra and on right side view of bladder and urethra.
The urethra is the channel that conducts urine from the urinary bladder to its external opening on the vestibule. A urethral diverticulum is an out-pouching or herniation of the inner lining (mucosa) of the urethra through a defect in the outer urethral supporting tissue (peri-urethral fascia) causing a mass in the top wall of the vagina. Most urethral diverticula are located in the mid or terminal part of the urethra.
Urethral diverticula, many of which are small and not symptomatic, occur in up to 5% or so of adult females. The average age at presentation is 40 years old. They commonly cause a mass or lump in the anterior (top) vaginal wall as well as dribbling of urine after urinating, burning or pain with urination and pain with sexual intercourse. They often cause urinary infections that are unresponsive or poorly responsive to antibiotic treatment. On occasion, a urethral diverticulum may cause obstructive lower urinary tract symptoms (a hesitant, weak, intermittent spraying quality urinary stream) and rarely, the inability to urinate.
The classic 3 Ds of urethral diverticula:
- dysuria (painful and burning urination)
- dribbling (urinary leakage after finishing urinating)
- dyspareunia (painful sexual intercourse)
The underlying cause of urethral diverticula is often infection and/or obstruction in the para-urethral glands. These glands surround the urethra and communicate with it via ducts. When these ducts become obstructed, the glands can become infected and lead to abscess formation which subsequently ruptures into the urethra. During the healing phase, the cells that line the urethra can then grow out into the cavity formed by the ruptured abscess, forming a urethral diverticulum.
Pelvic exam typically reveals a tender, firm, cystic swelling of the anterior vaginal wall. When the swelling is manipulated, urine or possibly pus may be expressed through the urethra. MRI is the imaging test of choice for further evaluating the anatomical details, location and complexity of urethral diverticula. The MRI will show whether the diverticulum is simple or complex, as occasionally they may be multiple, may encircle the urethra (“saddlebag” diverticulum) or may involve the bladder neck or sphincter. Another important test is urethroscopy, a visual inspection of the urethra using a small, lighted instrument to establish the location of the connection site between the diverticulum and the urethra.
Not all urethral diverticula require treatment, particularly if they are small and not symptomatic. Conservative measures that may relieve symptoms include compressing the diverticulum after urinating to preclude the post-void dribbling, antibiotics and using a needle and syringe to aspirate the contents.
Surgical management of symptomatic urethral diverticula involves excision of the diverticulum (urethral diverticulectomy) with repair of the urethra (urethroplasty). The surgery is performed via a vaginal incision and requires complete removal of the diverticular sac(s) down to the connection with the urethra with a multi-layered, tension-free closure. In the event of an infected diverticulum, it is important to treat with antibiotics prior to the surgery to eradicate the infection as best as possible. The procedure is generally done on an outpatient basis and requires a urinary catheter (typically for 7–14 days) antibiotics, pain medication, and a bladder relaxant.
Urethral diverticulectomy has a high success rate with respect to alleviation of the presenting symptoms and resumption of normal urinary function. As in any surgical procedure, there is always a small risk of complications. In general, the closer a urethral diverticulum is located to the bladder neck (where the urethra and bladder meet), the greater the risk for complications. Risks include bladder or ureteral injury, urinary incontinence, urethral stricture (scarring resulting in narrowing of the channel), urethral-vaginal or vesico-vaginal fistulas (abnormal connection between the vagina and the urethra or the vagina and bladder) and recurrence of the urethral diverticulum.
Wishing you the best of health,
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Dr. Andrew Siegel is a physician and urological surgeon who is board-certified in urology as well as in female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery. He is an Assistant Clinical Professor of Surgery at the Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School and is a Castle Connolly Top Doctor New York Metro Area, Inside Jersey Top Doctor and Inside Jersey Top Doctor for Women’s Health. His mission is to “bridge the gap” between the public and the medical community.
Dr. Siegel has authored the following books that are available on Amazon, iBooks, Nook and Kobo:
MALE PELVIC FITNESS: Optimizing Sexual & Urinary Health
THE KEGEL FIX: Recharging Female Pelvic, Sexual and Urinary Health
PROMISCUOUS EATING: Understanding and Ending Our Self-Destructive Relationship with Food
These books are written for educated and discerning men and women who care about health, well-being, fitness and nutrition and enjoy feeling confident and strong.
Dr. Siegel is co-creator of the male pelvic floor exercise instructional DVD (female version is in the works): PelvicRx
New video on female pelvic floor exercises: Learn about your pelvic floor
Tags: Andrew Siegel MD, female urology, urethra, urethra diverticulum
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July 6, 2019 at 6:52 AM |
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