FEMALE URETHRAL DIVERTICULUM - CLINICAL ASPECTS AND A PRESENTATION OF15 CASES

Objective. Fifteen patients with female urethral diverticulum (FUD) we re referred during nine years. In order to point out the symptomatolog y and findings and to evaluate the treatment we have reviewed these pa tients. Methods. A retrospective analysis of 15 women treated with tra nsvaginal diverticulectomy. The technique is described. Results. The m edian age was 54 years. All the patients had symptoms of lower urinary tract disorder. The time from the first appearance of symptoms to ref erral was median 2 years (range, 4 days-30 years). Seventy-five percen t of the cases had a pronounced tenderness. In 14 patients a suburethr al mass could be found. Purulent material could be expressed in twelve cases. Three patients with symptoms for more than 10 years were chara cterized by stress incontinence and frequency and recurrent cystitis. No single diagnostic test proved to be specific for FUD. In eight pati ents (53%) the indication for operation was based only on symptomatolo gy and the presence of a suburethral mass. Conclusion. Diverticulum of the urethra is to be suspected in women with unexplained lower urinar y tract symptoms. We recommend a collaboration of the two specialities : Gynaecology and Urology.