Urethra In Girls Research Articles

Valve of the Posterior Urethra in Girls: A Case Report from the Gavardo Hospital in Mali

This is a prospective study of a single case of posterior urethral valve in a 2-year-old girl in the Gabriel Toure Urology Department. Posterior urethral valves (PUV) are congenital obstructive membranous folds that represent the main cause of congenital subvesical obstruction and dysuria in children and infants [1]. Their aetiology remains unknown, and is probably related to poor positioning of the orifices of the Wolffian ducts leading into the urethra [2]. Abdominal and pelvic ultrasound combined with Uroscanner revealed bilateral ureterohydronephrosis with repercussions on the upper urinary tract. Suprapubic cystography showed stenosis of the membranous urethra with dilatation of the posterior urethra upstream of the valve and diverticular bladder. The procedure consisted of ureterovesical reimplantation plus intubation via an external ureteral drain, which was removed at10 postoperatively, and stripping followed by ureterovesical catheterisation. The post-operative course was straightforward.

Congenital Stenosis of the External Orifice of the Urethra in a Female Child

Limited numbers of pediatric stenosis of the external orifice of the urethra have been reported. We report a case of congenital stenosis of the external orifice of the urethra in a female child who underwent meatoplasty. As an initial strategy for congenital stenosis of the external orifice of the urethra in girls, dilatation of the stenosed urethral meatus may be another management of choice.

Urethral length in girls with lower urinary tract symptoms and forme fruste of female epispadias

To investigate systematically the length of the urethra in girls with lower urinary tract symptoms. In a group of 121 consecutive girls presented at a tertiary referral clinic for urinary incontinence or recurrent urinary tract infections, urethral length was measured by perineal ultrasound. The urethra was measured with the patient in supine position without anesthesia. Mean age of the patients was 7.8 (0-15) years. Average urethral length was 26 mm. Minimum length was 12 mm, measured in a 5-year-old girl with dribbling incontinence. Maximum measured length was 40 mm in a 15-year-old girl. In four girls (3.3%), aged 1-10 years (mean 6.3), a short urethra was detected, with measured lengths of 12 and 14 mm. All four had normal genitalia, and were referred with therapy-resistant urinary incontinence or urinary tract infections. A gradual increase in average urethral length was measured from 23 mm at birth to 32 mm at 15 years. Urethral length can be measured accurately by ultrasound. Although a short urethral length is rarely detected by ultrasound in girls with incontinence, it may be associated with therapy-resistant incontinence. In such cases, different treatment options are available.

Systematic Measurement Of Urethral Length In Girls With Luts

PURPOSE To investigate systematically the length of the urethra in girls presenting with LUTS and to determine changes of length during growth. MATERIAL AND METHODS A group of 122 consecutive girls presenting at a tertiary referral clinic for pediatric urinary incontinence or recurrent urinary tract infections had their urethral length measured by perineal ultrasound. The urethra was measured with the patient in supine position without anesthesia. RESULTS Mean age of the patients was 7, 79 years (0-15). Average urethral length was 25,68 mm. Minimal length in this group was a length of 9 mm, measured in a 5 year old girl with epispadias. Maximum measured length was 40 mm in a 15 year old girl. Five girls, (4.09%) aged 1-10 years (mean age 6 years) had extremely short urethras with measured length resp. 9, 12 (twice) and 14(twice) mms. One of these had epispadias, 4 had normal genitalia. Four had therapy resistant urinary incontinence, 1 was too young to evaluate continence. A gradual increase in average urethral length for age was measured from 23 mms at birth to 32 at age 15 years. CONCLUSIONS Urethral length in girls can be measured accurately by ultrasound and the average length is approximately 25 mm's. Girls with extremely short urethras causing therapy resistant incontinence can easily be detected by ultrasound and selected for different treatment options. Mean urethral length in girls increases from 23 mm at birth to 32 mm at puberty.

Is the Sensory Innervation Disturbed in the Lower Urinary Tract of Children with Bed-Wetting?

The sensation of bladder filling during cystometry and the sensory thresholds towards electrical stimulation in the bladder and urethra were determined in a group of 35 children and young adults with enuresis nocturna and in 28 similar patients with other urodynamic dysfunctions. The variables of the filling sensation were not different between the groups. The sensory threshold of the urethra in girls was significantly higher in the bed-wetting group indicating a diminished electrosensation in this structure. In 2 patients with absent electrosensation, an unsuspected neuropathy was discovered. A search for an eventual deficient sensation in the lower urinary tract in children with persistent enuresis nocturna would seem worthwhile.

Radiographic criteria of meatal and distal urethral stenosis Pre- and postoperative study

On oblique cystourethrographic studies a jet-like exiting stream in boys, a poorly developed or absent fossa navicularis in both sexes, and a dilated posterior urethra in girls proved to be generally reliable guides to meatal and distal urethral stenosis. A critical comment on misconceptions about the distal urethra in girls and a new concept on its function are offered.