Endoluminal magnetic resonance imaging in the evaluation of urethral diverticula in women.
OBJECTIVE
Accurate determination of the size and extent of urethral diverticula can be important in planning operative reconstruction and repair. Voiding cystourethrography (VCUG) is currently the most commonly used study in the preoperative evaluation of urethral diverticula. We reviewed our experience with the use of endoluminal (endorectal or endovaginal) magnetic resonance imaging (eMRI) in these patients as an adjunctive study to VCUG to evaluate whether the MRI provided anatomically important information that was not apparent on VCUG.


METHODS
A retrospective analysis of all patients with a clinical diagnosis of urethral diverticula undergoing MRI at a single institution was performed. Patients were evaluated with history, physical examination, cystoscopy, VCUG, and eMRI. Endoluminal MRI was retrospectively compared to VCUG with respect to size, extent, and location found at operative exploration.


RESULTS
Twenty-seven consecutive patients underwent endorectal or endovaginal coil MRI in the evaluation of suspected urethral diverticula. Twenty patients subsequently had attempted transvaginal operative repair of the diverticulum. In 2 patients, eMRI demonstrated a urethral diverticulum, whereas VCUG did not. Operative exploration in these patients revealed a urethral diverticulum. In 14 of 27 patients, the VCUG underestimated the size and complexity of the urethral diverticulum as compared to eMRI and operative exploration. In 13 of 27 patients, the size, location, and extent of the urethral diverticulum on VCUG correlated well with the eMRI and/or operative findings.


CONCLUSIONS
We have found endorectal and endovaginal coil MRI to be extremely accurate in determining the size and extent of urethral diverticula as compared to VCUG. This information can be critical when planning the approach, dissection, and reconstruction of these sometimes complex cases.
Blander
D S
DS
Division of Urology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
Rovner
E S
ES
Schnall
M D
MD
Ramchandani
P
P
Banner
M P
MP
Broderick
G A
GA
Wein
A J
AJ
D000328:Adult; D004240:Diverticulum / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014521:Urethra / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014522:Urethral Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*