[Ventral diverticula of the bulbous urethra]

We report 5 male patients with ventral diverticula of the bulbous urethra. There was urinary infection in 4 cases, urethral obstruction in 1 and voiding disturbances in 1. Urethral catheterism had been performed previously for various reasons in three patients. Urethroscopic evaluation was successfully completed with endourethral resection in four instances. Based on our morphologic findings we believe that the relationship between these diverticula and dilatation of Cowper's gland ducts is beyond doubt. The cause of this dilatation remains unclear, but mechanical factors, like catheterism, can play a role.