Skene's Gland Research Articles

Hybrid high and low molecular weight chains of hyaluronan for clitoral injection is an effective modality treatment for increasing female sexual satisfaction: an interventional, randomized-controlled parallel study.

Hormonal, behavioral, psychological, surgical, and pharmacopsychological treatment approaches contribute to female sexual dysfunction (FSD). Aim: The study is conducted to assess the effectiveness of hyaluronan high and low molecular weight hybrid cooperative complexes (hybrid H-HA/L-HA) in treating females with SD and to compare the female sexual function index (FSFI), dermatological life quality index (DLQI), and female genital self-image scale (FGSIS) before and after therapy. We divided the 60 female participants into two groups. Hybrid H-HA/L-HA was administered to form pili of 0.25cc around the clitoris in the direction of clock positions of 12, 3, 6, and 9. In Skene's gland; 0.25cc for each and 0.5cc into the corpus/body of the clitoris. Two treatments were held 30days apart.The same procedure was repeated on the control group, but with saline as a placebo. Women completed self-report questionnaires assessing sexual functioning using the FSFI, DLQI, and FGSIS before and after therapy. There was a significant (P= 634.152; P< .05) increase in the study group's weekly sexual interactions compared with the controls. The study group showed statistically significant amelioration in desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction domains, overall score, and a decrease in pain following the first and second injection sessions (P= .014, .031, .003, .001, .011, .004, and .011, respectively). A comparison of the results between the two groups revealed significant improvement were found (P= .025).There were significant improvements in the domains of the FGSIS compared with the controls (P= .026). The study group showed a substantial improvement in satisfaction with the way their genital area looked, comfort level when allowing a sexual partner to view their genital area, belief that their genitals smell perfectly fine without being self-conscious about them, and overall score (P= .022, .031, .003, .001, and .004, respectively) (P< .05).The hybrid H-HA/L-HA sessions resulted in significantly greater positive perceptions and feelings, leisure activities, interpersonal interactions, and general assessments (P= .021, .021, and .020, respectively) (P< .05). Female individuals with SD experience sexual improvements after hybrid H-HA/L-HA injection. This is the first study focusing on female individuals with SD. We recommend conducting the study on a larger population and including their partners. Hybrid H-HA/L-HA injection for rejuvenating the clitoral injection appears to be a reliable and safe method for enhancing female genital self-image, sexuality, and quality of life.

Advanced female urethral adenocarcinoma: A case report.

Urethral cancer in females is a rare occurrence. Although initially believed to be derived from skene glands, there is no consensus on the cell of origin. Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common, whereas adenocarcinoma is the least common. We report the case of a 58-years-old lady with a history of voiding lower urinary tract symptoms, later requiring a suprapubic cystostomy for retention. Cystoscopy and biopsy showed prostate-specific antigen (PSA) negative adenocarcinoma and postiron emission computed tomography (PETCT) showing pelvic and inguinal nodal metastasis. The patient underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by anterior exenteration with pelvic lymphadenectomy and ileal conduit. Final histology showed ypT4 yN1 adenocarcinoma, not otherwise specified.

British Association of Urological Surgeons (BAUS) consensus document for the management of benign female urethral lesions.

To provide a consensus document for the management of benign female urethral lesions. The British Association of Urological Surgeons (BAUS) Female, Neurological and Urodynamic Urology (FNUU) Section created a consensus document to guide the management of the commonest of urethral swellings using expert consensus with a modified Delphi technique. Benign urethral lesions in females can include urethral mucosal prolapse, urethral caruncle, Skene's gland cysts and urethral diverticulum. They can present in a variety of ways including haematuria, lower urinary tract symptoms and voiding dysfunction, and can initially be overlooked or not recognised, resulting in delayed management. This consensus statement led by the FNUU Section of the BAUS, in consultation with BAUS members and consultants working in units throughout the UK, aimed to create a comprehensive and pragmatic management pathway for the assessment, investigation and treatment of benign urethral lesions in females.

Skene's glands and urethral diverticula: comparative insights from an anatomical and histological study

Skene's glands and urethral diverticula: comparative insights from an anatomical and histological study

Complete excision of a Skene gland cyst mimicking cystocele.

Skene gland abnormalities include skene gland cysts and abscess. These can be differentiated from urethral diverticulum based on clinical findings. The exact incidence of Skene gland abnormalities is unknown as they are relatively rare. They are usually seen in middle-aged female patients but have recently been reported in newborn girls. We present a video case of a large, adult-onset Skene gland cyst, which was evaluated based on clinical findings, radiological aspects and histopathological findings. The differential diagnosis was carried out step-by-step in order to avoid sequelae and complete excision was performed in order to achieve optimal results, both for long-term functional and anatomical outcomes.

Воспаление парауретральных протоков и желез у женщин: проблема с 350-летней историей.

Introduction. Inflammation of the Skene glands is one of the common causes of persistent dysuria and recurrent lower urinary tract infections. Lack of awareness about this pathology can lead to diagnostic errors and inadequate treatment. This pathology is not sufficiently covered in the literature, which was the reason for preparing this lecture. Results. The lecture review covers the history of studying the anatomy of the paraurethral glands in women, the first attempts to diagnose and treat various diseases. The issues of homology of the paraurethral ducts and glands in women with the prostate gland in men are considered, the anatomy, morphology and immunohistochemical properties of the Skene glands are described, as well as modern ideas about their function. The historical background, nomenclature and classification are presented. The role of inflammation in these structures as a cause of persistent dysuria and a source of persistent lower urinary tract infections has been demonstrated. The need to standardize the methodology for examining patients with skineitis and the search for a specialized instrument for an adequate examination of the female urethra is substantiated. An analysis of the effectiveness of electrical resection of Skene's glands was carried out. Conclusions. One of the main factors behind unsatisfactory treatment results for lower urinary tract infections is inflammation of the paraurethral ducts and glands. Their insufficient visualization and assessment are the reasons for frequent relapses of the disease and repeated surgical interventions.

Bladder outlet obstruction in women: Scope of the problem and differential diagnosis

AbstractIntroductionThe prevalence, formal definition, and diagnostic criteria of bladder outlet obstruction in owmen have not been clearly defined.MethodsThis is a literature review of the definition of BOO in women, its prevalence, as well as its differential diagnosis.ResultsThe main causes of BOO in women are divided into functional and anatomic conditions. Functional etiologies include detrusor external sphincter dyssynergia, dysfunctional voiding, Fowler's syndrome, and primary bladder neck obstruction. Anatomic causes can be further divided into extrinsinc and intrinsic conditions. Intrinsic etiologies include urethral stricture and urethral diverticula, whereas extrinsic causes comprise pelvic organ prolapse, post anti‐incontinence surgery, and Skene's gland cyst or abscess.ConclusionsThere are multiple etiologies to BOO in women, and this condition is most probably underdiagnosed, owing to a lack of consensus for a standard definition.

Evaluation and management of urethral and periurethral masses in women.

Female periurethral masses are an uncommon occurrence. The purpose of this review is to describe etiologies of female urethral and periurethral masses and to provide an update on diagnosis and management. The most common causes of periurethral and urethral masses in women are urethral caruncles, urethral diverticula, and Skene's gland cysts. Urethral meatal lesions such as urethral caruncles and prolapse can be managed conservatively with topical estrogen therapy and close follow-up or should be excised in the setting of thrombosis, significant or recurrent bleeding, acute urinary retention, or persistent pain. Benign periurethral gland masses, such as Skene's gland cysts, Gartner's duct cysts, and Mullerian duct cysts, remain rare. Recent case series reveal a high rate of surgical management of these lesions with few complications. Urethral malignancy or malignant transformation of benign etiologies are even rarer but can be aggressive in nature and should be treated promptly. Nonspecific urinary and vaginal symptoms as well as similar physical presentations make diagnosis of urethral and periurethral lesions in females difficult. Magnetic resonance imaging is useful for differentiation of periurethral masses. The decision for conservative or surgical management is typically guided by patient symptom bother, as well as concern for urethral malignancy.

(032) A Large Retroperitoneal Schwannoma Masquerading as Genito-Urinary Syndrome of Menopause

Abstract Introduction Retroperitoneal schwannomas are extremely rare, slow growing, benign, neurogenic tumors. Their diagnosis is challenging and often incidentally found upon evaluation of vague symptoms. Extrinsic compression to nearby organs or nerves may cause pain and paresthesia. Vulvar pain as a presenting symptom of a retroperitoneal schwannoma is reported in the literature in a case with pudendal nerve involvement. Here we present a case report of a patient who presented with vulvar burning and lower urinary tract irritative symptoms which was found to have a large infra-hepatic retroperitoneal schwannoma. Objectives In this report we show case how performing a detailed neurological evaluation and having a good understanding of the vulvar, perineal, and lower extremity dermatomal innervation have assisted in early diagnosis and treatment of a large retroperitoneal schwannoma. Methods A 65-year-old menopausal woman presented to her primary provider for a 3-month-history of worsening vulvar burning sensation associated with urinary burning, frequency, and nocturia. The pain is worse at night and when sitting for more than an hour. The patient endorsed low back pain that radiated like pins down her anterior thighs. The patient underwent evaluation by her referring provider to rule out a urinary tract infections and vaginitis. She was treated with vaginal estrogen tablets with partial relief for a working diagnosis of Urogenital Syndrome of Menopause. Patient was then referred to Gynecology due to inadequate relief. A detailed pelvic examination revealed normal labia majora and minora with no erythema or swelling. The Vestibule, Bartholin and Skene glands were non tender. Q-tip testing provoked burning sensation in the left and right labia minora on the medial and lateral aspect as well as the labia majora. Pelvic Floor evaluation elicited left pelvic floor tenderness and bilateral ischial spine pain concerning for Pudendal neuralgia. Also, noted paresthesia overlying the left lower extremity at the L3 and L4 distribution at the medial thigh (Figure-1) The patient underwent a bilateral pudendal block with total resolution of her vulvar pain for 24 hours and hence, lumbar and pelvic nerve entrapment was suspected. Magnetic Resonance Imaging was requested. Evaluation revealed a 3.3x4.4cm left ovarian mass and uterine fibroids that could potentially explain L2-L5 radiculopathy. The Lumbar MRI noted a cystic mass in the right mid abdomen for which further evaluation with CT scan was recommended. (Image-1). Referral to Surgical Oncology and Gyn oncology was sought. Epithelial ovarian cancer tumor markers were normal. Catecholamine studies were nonrevealing except for unexplained increase in dopamine levels. Results Surgical excision of the retroperitoneal and ovarian tumor revealed a left ovarian Fibroma and Schwannoma with Cystic Degeneration, confirmed with Immuno-peroxidase studies for S100 and SOX10. The patient had an uncomplicated post-operative course and remains asymptomatic with total resolution of her urinary and vulvar burning symptoms. Conclusions This a case report of vulvar and urethral paresthesia caused by an exceedingly rare tumor located high in the retroperitoneum. Diagnosis was aided by detailed history, comprehensive gynecological, and neurodermatomal evaluation. Appropriate imaging and timely referral led to early diagnosis and treatment, resulting in symptom resolution. Disclosure No.

MP60-14 A CELLULAR ATLAS OF THE NORMAL ADULT HUMAN FEMALE URETHRA

You have accessJournal of UrologyCME1 Apr 2023MP60-14 A CELLULAR ATLAS OF THE NORMAL ADULT HUMAN FEMALE URETHRA John Lafin, Alicia Malewska, Philippe Zimmern, Maude Carmel, Gary Lemack, Douglas Strand, and Ramy Goueli John LafinJohn Lafin More articles by this author , Alicia MalewskaAlicia Malewska More articles by this author , Philippe ZimmernPhilippe Zimmern More articles by this author , Maude CarmelMaude Carmel More articles by this author , Gary LemackGary Lemack More articles by this author , Douglas StrandDouglas Strand More articles by this author , and Ramy GoueliRamy Goueli More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1097/JU.0000000000003318.14AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookLinked InTwitterEmail Abstract INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Urinary voiding dysfunction is highly prevalent in aging women. A deeper understanding of the cellular composition of female urethra in the non-diseased state could provide insights into the etiology of dysfunction. Single cell RNA sequencing was performed on female urethra to generate a cellular atlas. METHODS: Urethra from female organ donors aged 18-45 (N=4) was collected fresh from surgery and enzymatically digested into a single cell suspension. Single cell RNA sequencing was performed using 10x Genomics V3 chemistry. Data were analyzed in Seurat for cell type annotation. Immunohistochemical validation of cell types was performed on FFPE sections using differentially expressed genes from clustered data. RESULTS: The female proximal urethral lumen is lined with a stratified urothelium composed of KRT5+/KRT14- basal cells with KRT13+ hillock epithelia and KRT4+ luminal epithelia. Ducts emerging from dorsal urethra (Skene's glands) contain basal and club cells similar to prostatic urethra. The urethral lumen is surrounded by two discrete layers of fibroblasts (peri-urethral and interstitial) and circumferential smooth muscle and skeletal muscle. CONCLUSIONS: The identification of 1) specialized fibroblasts surrounding the urethra, and 2) club cells in dorsal ducts could yield new insight into the regulation of infection, inflammation and obstruction, which are the putative etiologies of most urethral dysfunction. Source of Funding: DK115477, DK104310, DK129994 © 2023 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 209Issue Supplement 4April 2023Page: e848 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2023 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.MetricsAuthor Information John Lafin More articles by this author Alicia Malewska More articles by this author Philippe Zimmern More articles by this author Maude Carmel More articles by this author Gary Lemack More articles by this author Douglas Strand More articles by this author Ramy Goueli More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...

The relationship between clitourethrovaginal complex and female orgasm.

Orgasm is the ultimate pleasurable sexual experience in sexual life, a phenomenon that is difficult to depict and uncertain. A satisfying sexual life plays a vital role in the physical and mental health of men and women, the relationship between husband and wife, and family harmony. In the past, it was thought that female orgasm was related to the G-spot in the vagina, but it has never been proven. In this review, we focus on the anatomy of the vaginal vestibule, vagina, Urethra, Skene gland, and clitoris to explore the origin of female orgasm. The published articles were reviewed, including original articles, reviews, letters to the editor, and case reports, regarding the female reproductive system. The concept of the clitourethrovaginal complex (CUV) explains the mechanism of the female orgasm, which is not produced by a single organ acting alone, but by the synergistic action of multiple organs and tissues. The concept of CUV complex not only reveals the principle of female orgasm but also provides new ideas for the diagnosis and treatment of female sexual medicine in the future.

Periurethral and Anterior Vaginal Wall Masses: Etiology, Presentation, and Treatment Outcomes.

To describe the etiology and presenting symptoms of periurethral and anterior vaginal wall masses in a large series of patients in an academic institution. A retrospective chart review of 126 patients presenting and undergoing treatment for periurethral and anterior vaginal wall masses between November 2001 and July 2021 was completed. Clinicopathologic data were extracted. Ethics approval was obtained. The primary objective of this study was to determine the etiology of these masses; secondary objectives included determining the rates of presenting symptoms, complications, resolution of stress urinary incontinence (SUI), and de novo SUI. The median age of patients was 42 years. The most common etiology was urethral diverticula (39.7%), followed by Skene gland cysts or abscesses (30.2%). The rate of malignancy was 1.6%, and the rate of infection was 21.4%. The most common presenting symptoms were sensation of mass (78.6%), dyspareunia (52.4%), and discharge (46.0%). The rate of surgical complications was 9.5%. Three patients had recurrence on follow-up, but there were no recurrent urethral diverticula after excision. The rate of de novo SUI was 5.6%. The rate of resolution of SUI was 67.6%, and all patients who had slings reported resolution of SUI. Urethral diverticula and Skene gland cysts or abscesses accounted for 70% of periurethral and anterior vaginal wall masses in this series. Treatment by complete excision is usually successful.

Urethral Pathology in Women.

This paper describes the differences in benign, malignant, and iatrogenic urethral pathology in women and reviews common presenting symptoms and management strategies. The advancement of magnetic resonance imaging has led to MRI becoming the imaging modality of choice for urethral pathology. Urethral pathology is rare, and there remains a paucity of evidence-based literature for management. Urologists and gynecologists must be familiar with common benign urethral pathology, the most common of which includes urethral diverticula, Skene's gland cyst, urethral prolapse, and caruncle. Further case series are providing further insights to the management of these rare entities. Urologists and gynecologists must understand the most common urethral pathologies and be able to identify the most appropriate treatment approach. It is essential to be able to differentiate these entities from malignancy and obtain a thorough surgical history to identify possible iatrogenic causes.

Enhanced visualization of female squirting.

Squirting is the involuntary expulsion of fluid from the female urethra following stimulation of the anterior vaginal wall before or during orgasm. The mechanism underlying squirting has not been established. To elucidate the mechanism of squirting. The subjects in the current study were women who were able to squirt. They were not sex workers. A urethral catheter was inserted before sexual stimulation and the bladder was emptied. Then, a mixture of indigo carmine (10 ml) and saline (40 ml) was injected into the bladder. Sexual stimulation was provided tofacilitate squirting, which was videotaped and verified. The secretions were collected in sterile cups, and prostate specific antigen (PSA) and glucose levels were measured. Five women (2 in the 30s, 2 in the 40s, and 1 in the 50s) participated in this study. All women were able to squirt; three squirted only with manual sexual stimulation and two with penetrative sexual stimulation. The discharged fluid was blue in all cases, confirming the bladder as the source. The fluid was PSA-positive in four patients. The main component of squirt fluid is urine, but may also contain fluid from Skene's glands (female prostate). This is the first report in which visualization of squirting was enhanced.

The complex role of telocytes in female prostate tumorigenesis in a rodent model.

The prostate is not an organ exclusive to the male. It is also found in females of several species, including humans, in which part of the Skene gland is homologous to the male prostate. Evidence is accumulating that changes in the stroma are central to tumorigenesis. Equally, telocytes, a recently discovered type of interstitial cell, are essential for the maintenance of stromal organization. However, it is still uncertain whether there are telocytes in the female prostate and if they play a role in tumorigenesis. The present study used ultrastructural and immunofluorescence techniques to investigate the presence of telocytes in the prostate of Mongolian gerbil females, a rodent model that often has a functional prostate in females, as well as to assess the impact of a combination of N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea, testosterone, and estradiol on telocytes. The results point to the presence of telocytes in the female prostate in the perialveolar and interalveolar regions, and reveal that these cells are absent in regions of benign and premalignant lesions in the gland, in which the perialveolar smooth muscle is altered. Additionally, telocytes are also closely associated with infiltrated immune cells in the stroma. Our data suggest that telocytes are important for both the maintenance of smooth muscle and prostatic epithelium integrity, which indicates a protective role against the advancement of tumorigenesis. But telocytes are also associated with immune cells and a proinflammatory/proangiogenic role for these cells cannot be ruled out, implying that telocytes have a complex role in prostatic tumorigenesis in females.

Does a tailored magnetic resonance imaging technique affect the surgical planning and outcomes for different cystic urethral and periurethral swellings in females? Seven years tertiary center experience

PurposeTo evaluate the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in preoperative delineation and surgical planning for the management of female urethral and periurethral cystic vaginal swellings, with emphasis on postoperative surgical outcomes.Materials and methodsThis is a retrospective analysis of females complaining of periurethral and urethral cystic swellings referred to our tertiary center, who underwent MRI for preoperative planning in the period from January 2014 till January 2021, with a total number of 57 patients. Data retrieved from the medical records included: patients’ demographics, presenting symptoms and signs, preoperative radiological investigations, duration of symptoms, previous surgical intervention, detailed intraoperative data, postoperative complications, and postoperative follow-up.ResultsUrethral diverticulum was the commonest cystic lesion representing (64.9%) followed by Skene gland cysts in 14%, Mullerian cysts in 7%, Gartner cysts in 3.5%, and dermoid inclusion cysts in 10.5%. MRI precisely diagnosed the various pathological entities and anatomical complex lesions prior to surgery. This was confirmed after surgery and pathology analysis. All patients were followed up with a mean duration of 35 months, without any evidence of recurrence.ConclusionMRI as a standalone imaging technique is mandatory for diagnosis of all urethral and periurethral cystic lesions, as it offers the most accurate diagnostic modality for delineation of these lesions and hence aids in the preoperative surgical planning, aiming to avoid recurrence and improving surgical outcomes.

A novel technique for a rare diagnosis: MRI-guided vaginal biopsy of Skene gland adenocarcinoma: Pictorial Essay.

FDG-PET and MRI imaging of the pelvis identified a suspicious lesion in a patient with a history of small cell neuroendocrine tumour of the vagina, and after a negative surgical biopsy, a multidisciplinary team meeting decided to proceed with MRGB (magnetic resonance-guided biopsy). The patient remains well and in remission two years after anterior exenteration, with final histology of the lesion determined to be Skene gland adenocarcinoma. MRGB is a novel and effective way to diagnose vaginal lesions.

Is there an association between prostate-specific antigen and androgen levels in 46, XX patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia?

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), a genetic disease characterized by defective cortisol synthesis and excessive levels of sex hormones, can cause precocious puberty in both sexes in untreated individuals and virilization in female patients with a 46, XX karyotype. The female paraurethral (Skene's) gland has been reported as prostate analogous. Growth of prostate tissue is associated with androgen production; therefore, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels may represent a marker of virilization in 46, XX patients with CAH. To describe PSA levels in 46, XX patients and evaluate whether higher PSA levels are associated with androgenization and the severity of the disease. Sixty-six patients with CAH and a 46, XX karyotype were included, irrespective of age. Serum PSA, testosterone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP) and androstenedione levels were measured. Patients' age, age at diagnosis, forms of the disease, Prader classification, bone age assessment, sex of rearing, surgery, and the presence of clinical complications were obtained from their medical records. The mean age of patients was 11.45±10.74 years. Forty-three patients (65%) were diagnosed neonatally at a median of 0.08 years (mean 1.47±2.34 years), with registers of 17-OHP measurements (Guthrie test) being available in 51%. Testosterone, 17-OHP and androstenedione were significantly high. PSA was detectable in 25% of cases (levels >0.01ng/ml), with a mean of 0.03±0.09ng/ml, and only in patients over five years of age. A correlation was found between PSA and age (p<0.001), age at diagnosis (p=0.002), testosterone (p=0.001) and androstenedione (p=0.023). There was no correlation between PSA and the forms of CAH or Prader classification. A sub-analysis of the patients over five years of age in whom PSA was detectable also showed that there was a correlation between PSA (p<0.05) and age at analysis, age at diagnosis, testosterone and androstenedione levels. Limitations of this study include the small sample size due to the rareness of the disease, its retrospective nature, the absence of a control group, the fact that the sample was selected at two referral centers, which could have resulted in a selection bias, and the use of different reference values in the different laboratories conducting the PSA tests. PSA is detectable in 25% of 46, XX patients with CAH, only after five years of age. PSA level increases significantly with age, age at diagnosis, and testosterone and androstenedione levels, confirming a correlation between PSA levels and elevated androgen levels.

Tubulosquamous Polyp of the Vagina: Misplaced Skene's Glands Analogous to the Male Prostate.

Tubulosquamous polyp (TSP) of the vagina is a rare and benign lesion, best considered along the spectrum of lesions derived from Skene's glands, the female counterpart of male prostatic glands. It is likely underdiagnosed and represents a challenging diagnosis if one is unfamiliar with this entity. We present an illustrative case of TSP occurring as an upper vaginal wall nodule of a 75-year-old woman, with characteristic morphology and broad immunophenotype. It should be suspected in postmenopausal women with a polyp that demonstrates biphasic squamous and glandular components, which show a prostatic immunophenotype.

Novel TBP-RET (TATA.binding protein-rearranged during transfection) fusion in a rare case of Skene gland adenocarcinoma: Sequencing unicorns

Novel TBP-RET (TATA.binding protein-rearranged during transfection) fusion in a rare case of Skene gland adenocarcinoma: Sequencing unicorns