Gossypiboma mimicking posterior urethral stricture

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Radiology

Background:

• Foreign bodies in the urogenital tract are a known clinical occurrence.
• Various objects, including hairpins and umbilical tapes, have been reported in the lower urogenital tract.
• Retained gauze (gossypiboma) in the posterior urethra presents a diagnostic challenge, often mimicking urethral strictures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report two cases of retained gauze pieces in the urethra.
• To highlight the diagnostic dilemma posed by gossypiboma in the posterior urethra.
• To emphasize the importance of considering gossypiboma in the differential diagnosis of posterior urethral strictures in pediatric patients with a history of urogenital surgery.

Main Methods:

• Case report of two pediatric patients with retained gauze in the urethra.
• Utilized micturating cystourethrogram (MCUG) for diagnostic imaging.

Main Results:

• MCUG suggested posterior urethral stricture in both cases.
• Retained gauze pieces were identified as the cause of filling defects and abnormal appearances on MCUG.

Conclusions:

• Gossypiboma can cause filling defects and abnormal imaging findings on MCUG.
• In pediatric patients with suspected posterior urethral stricture after urogenital surgery, gossypiboma should be considered in the differential diagnosis.