title: Diagnosis and management of female urethral diverticulum.
abstract: Female urethral diverticulum is a disorder that affects 1% to 6% of women. Women with diverticula may present with a variety of nonspecific genitourinary complaints, making the diagnosis challenging. Diagnosis is made by physical examination and can be confirmed with cystourethroscopy and/or radiographic imaging. Asymptomatic women can be managed conservatively, whereas treatment for symptomatic women usually involves a diverticulectomy. Potential complications from diverticulectomy include diverticulum recurrence, de novo stress incontinence, urethrovaginal fistula, urethral stricture, and recurrent urinary tract infections. This article reviews the etiology, differential diagnoses, evaluation, and management of female urethral diverticula.
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Section of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery, Washington Hospital Center, Washington, DC.
authors.forename: Danielle D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Antosh
authors.forename: Robert E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Gutman