English

Abstract

AIMS AND OBJECTIVE: To evaluate abnormalities of male anterior urethra using high resolution ultrasound (sonourethrography) and to detect degree of spongiofibrosis. MATERIALS AND METHOD: A total of 80 male patients between age group 10 to70 years with symptoms of lower urinary tract obstruction underwent sonourethrography (SUG) between September 2012 to September 2013 in department of Radiodiagnosis G.R. Medical College & Jayarogya Hospital, Gwalior. The findings of sonourethrography are compared with intraoperative findings. RESULT: In this study, most of the patients presented with thin stream of urine (90%), followed by straining on micturition(60%).Etiologically, the commonest cause for stricture was found to be traumatic which was seen in 35 (43%) cases followed by previous surgery in 20(25%) and infective in 15 (18%)cases. No cause could be detected in 10 (14%) cases. Anterior urethral strictures were found in majority of cases 60 followed by calculi 4 cases and diverticuli 4 cases on sonourethrography with sensitivity and specificity of 98.5% and 90.9% respectively(p value < 0.0001).The most common site involved was bulbar urethera 53.3 % followed by penile in 33.3 % & diffuse in 13.3% on sonourethrography. Of 54 cases detected to have spongiofibrosis at surgery, 44 were detected by sonourethrography with sensitivity and specificity of 81.4% and 92.3% respectively (p value < 0.0001) which is considered statistically significant. CONCLUSION: We conclude that sonourethrography is a reliable investigation for evaluation of male anterior urethral pathology and degree of spongiofibrosis. It is simple, noninvasive, inexpensive and repeatable with no exposure of radiation to gonads. We believe that sonourethrography should be included in the presurgical investigation protocol for urethral stricture and for post-operative follow-up of patients.