Management of Male Urethral Polyps in Children:Experience with Five Cases

Abstract

Purpose Congenital urethral polyps area rare anomaly of the male urethra that may present with features of voiding dysfunction or obstruction. Although the exact incidence is unknown, they are important in the differential diagnosis of lower urethral obstruction in male children. We present our experience with five cases of male urethral polyps in boys and video presentation of resection of the urethral polyp. Material and Methods We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of five boys with urethral polyps. Patient characteristics, presentation, associated pathology, diagnosis and treatment were evaluated in all patients Results Median age at diagnosis was 5 years (range 1-12). Acute urine retention was the only symptom in 4 boys while loin pain due to reflux secondry to voiding dysfunction was documented in the other boy. Vesicoureteric reflux was associated in one patient. Voiding cystourethrography and CT and/or MRU were applied for diagnosis of voiding dysfunction in those boys but the only diagnostic tool for male urethral polyp is the cytsourethroscopy which revealed in all patients normal anterior urethra with a polyp arising from the veru montanum. Transurethral resection was applied for all boys with satisfactory results Conclusions Urethral polyps, although uncommon, are more common in males than in females. The incidence may not be as low as reported. They should be considered in the differential diagnosis of voiding dysfunction in male children. A high index of suspicion and possibly screening may be of help in knowing the exact incidence.