Urethral stricture assessment: a prospective study evaluating urethral ultrasonography and conventional radiological studies

Abstract

To evaluate the accuracy of urethral ultrasonography (sono-urethrography, SUG) in determining the length of anterior urethral strictures, and for predicting the degree of spongiofibrosis. In all, 52 patients with anterior urethral strictures detected on retrograde urethrography (RUG) were also examined using SUG, to assess the stricture location, length and degree of spongiofibrosis. The findings of both procedures were then compared with the operative findings. The mean (sd) stricture length on RUG, SUG and at surgery was 2 (0.8), 3.8 (1.4) and 3.5 (1.6) cm, respectively. The mean length on SUG was closer to that at surgery. Spongiofibrosis was detected by SUG with an overall accuracy of 42%, 56% and 83% for mild, moderate and severe degrees of fibrosis, respectively. There were no significant complications during the procedure. SUG is more accurate for evaluating the length of anterior urethral strictures than RUG, and gives additional information about spongiofibrosis.