Urethral Diverticulum in the Female. Etiologic Factors and Postoperative Results

Among 32 female patients with urethral diverticulum, a high incidence of prior gonococcal infection suggests that periurethral infection with this organism may be a common etiologic factor. The voiding cystourethrogram appears to be the best technic for demonstrating the diverticulum and for differentiating it from other suburethral masses. In the cases not associated with urinary tract infections, local symptoms were uniformly relieved by successful surgical excision. In patients with infection, surgery accomplished clearing of chronic urinary tract infection in 47% and cure of local symptoms in 63%. Persistence of infection following operation calls for further investigation to search for other etiologic factors or the presence of a new or recurrent diverticulum.