Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Urethral diverticulum
Introduction
Overview
Overview
Urethral diverticulum has been reported in 1.4% of women with stress urinary incontinence. Female urethral diverticulum is currently thought to be acquired. It is usually located posterolateral to the urethra.
Classification
Classification
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).
Diagnosis
Diagnosis
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.
Patient #1: CT image demonstrates a urethral diverticulum
Patient #2: MR images demonstrate a urethral diverticulum in a male patient
Treatment
Treatment
The definitive treatment of urethral diverticula is transvaginal diverticulectomy.
References
References
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]