Female Urethral Diverticulum: Current Diagnosis and Management

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Gynecology

Background:

• Urethral diverticulum (UD) is a rare condition in women, characterized by dilated periurethral glands.
• Symptoms include dyspareunia, lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), and recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs).

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the diagnosis and management of urethral diverticulum (UD) in women.
• To discuss imaging modalities and surgical treatment options for UD and concomitant stress urinary incontinence (SUI).

Main Methods:

• Literature review focusing on diagnosis, imaging (MRI, US), and surgical treatment of UD.
• Analysis of treatment outcomes for UD excision and management strategies for associated SUI.

Main Results:

• Ultrasound (US) is a cost-effective alternative to MRI for UD diagnosis.
• Surgical excision with three-layer closure achieves >90% cure rates for UD.
• Staged anti-incontinence procedures are a viable option for persistent SUI post-diverticulectomy.

Conclusions:

• Surgical excision is the primary treatment for UD, yielding high success rates.
• Concomitant or staged treatment of SUI should be individualized to avoid overtreatment.