Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 21, 2026

Point-of-Care Kidney and Genitourinary Ultrasound in Adults: Image Acquisition
Published on: June 21, 2024
Imaging of urethral disease: a pictorial review
Akira Kawashima1, Carl M Sandler, Neil F Wasserman
1Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. kawashima.akira@mayo.edu
Abstract:
Retrograde urethrography and voiding cystourethrography are the modalities of choice for imaging the urethra. Cross-sectional imaging modalities, including ultrasonography, magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, and computed tomography, are useful for evaluating periurethral structures. Retrograde urethrography is the primary imaging modality for evaluating traumatic injuries and inflammatory and stricture diseases of the male urethra. Sonourethrography plays an important role in the assessment of the thickness and length of bulbar urethral stricture. Although voiding cystourethrography is frequently used to evaluate urethral diverticula in women, MR imaging is highly sensitive in the demonstration of these entities. MR imaging is also accurate in the local staging of urethral tumors.
Related Concept Videos
Imaging Studies V: Intravenous Urography and Retrograde Pyelography
Imaging Studies VI: Voiding Cystourethrography and Cystography
Imaging Studies II: Ultrasonography
Urethra
The anatomy of the urethra differs between males and females. In females, the urethra is short, measuring about 3–4 cm in length, and opens anterior to the vaginal opening. In males, the urethra is longer and passes through the penis, serving dual purposes: expelling urine and ejaculating semen. The male urethra is...
Urologic Endoscopic Procedure: Cystoscopic Examination
Imaging Studies I: Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder Studies
