title: [Anterior urethral valves and anterior urethral diverticulum, are they same entity?]
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We present our experience in the diagnosis and management of anterior urethral valves (AUV) and anterior urethral diverticula (AUD) as well as review of the bibliography.
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively evaluated all the cases of the AUV and AUD treated in our hospital during the last 10 years. The clinical exploration, renal function study and renal and bladder ultrasound were evaluated in all the children. The diagnosis was completed with voiding cystography (VCUG) and cystoscopy as well as nuclear study in the relevant patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Four patients have been treated in our center. AUV was suspected in those children with narrowing of the anterior urethra and thickened bladder with trabeculations at the VCUG. These findings were noticed in 50% of the patients, which also had a neonatal presentation. The diagnosis was confirmed by cystoscopy that allowed the endoscopic resection at the same procedure. The boys with AUD were managed by excision of the diverticulum with urethroplasty. On the follow up, one patient who had AUV, presented renal involvement in the nuclear scans with normal renal function.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In our experience, the AUV and AUD behave as two different entities in terms of clinical presentation and treatment. The AUV have been effectively treated with endoscopic surgery and the AUD have pointed out open surgery, as described in the literature.
authors: Servicio de Cirugía Pediátrica, Unidad de Urología. Hospital Son Espases, Palma de Mallorca.
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Calleja Aguayo
authors: Servicio de Cirugía Pediátrica, Unidad de Urología. Hospital Son Espases, Palma de Mallorca.
authors: A E
authors: AE
authors: Hernández Calvarro
authors: Servicio de Cirugía Pediátrica, Unidad de Urología. Hospital Son Espases, Palma de Mallorca.
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Bregante Ucedo
authors: Servicio de Cirugía Pediátrica, Unidad de Urología. Hospital Son Espases, Palma de Mallorca.
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Marhuenda Irastorza
keywords: Anterior urethral valves; Obstructive diverticulum; Urethral diverticula