Urethral prolapse mimicking a uterine prolapse in an eight-year-old girl: A case report

A urethral prolapse is a rare condition occurring most likely in prepubertal girls and post-menopausal women. The cause of this condition is not well known but an under-laying low level of estrogen is thought to have a role.

This is an 8-year-old girl diagnosed with urethral prolapse, who was successfully managed by excision of the prolapsed urethral mucosa circumferentially. A three-month following up did not notice any particular challenge.

The most common presenting sign is genital bleeding and the vaginal doughnut sign. Treatment of urethral prolapse should begin with medical therapy in most patients before resorting to surgical management. However, in case of bigger size, severe genital hemorrhage, and prolapsed mucosa with an appearance suggestive of vascular compromise, surgical management is the first-line option. We estimate a severe prolapse mimicking a uterine prolapse must be included in surgical management as a first-line option.

Surgical excision may be the first-line option in certain urethral prolapses given its association with quick recovery versus the effectiveness of the long-time required for estrogen use, as well as the low likelihood of successful resolution linked to estrogen use.