The double urethra is a diverse spectrum comprising different pathologies. Our proposed classification system of duplicated urethras is clinically relevant as it guides surgical management and allows prognostication of outcome.
Objectives The objective of this study was to define anatomical and radiological features of the so-called Y-type urethral duplication. Methods The study included four male patients and one female patient with congenital connection between the urogenital tract and the external anal orifice. Investigations included renal sonography, urethrograms, and magnetic resonance imaging pelvis in the last patient. The urethrograms of male patients were carefully reviewed, in addition to available urethrograms of similar cases that could be obtained through searching the literature. Results Unlike cases of urethral duplication, the male patients had always a complete prepuce and a functioning anterior urethra in 25%. The accessory uroanal channel had almost always a constant origin from the posterior urethra. Some tension seems to be exerted by the urethroanal tract pulling on and causing a kink in the posterior urethra. Management was simple in patients without anterior urethral hypoplasia (one male and the female patient). Both were treated by simple excision of the communicating ano-urogenital tract through a perineal approach with an excellent outcome. Histopathological examination of excised tracts revealed stratified squamous cell in the former and transitional cell lining in the latter. In patients with hypoplastic anterior urethra, staged urethral reconstruction was performed in two, and progressive dilatation of hypoplastic anterior urethra was tried in the last patient. Conclusion Several observations would support diagnosing the congenital connection between the urinary tract and the external anal orifice in the male as a congenital fistula rather than an accessory urethra. Confirming and accepting this information may have its impact on changing the current surgical approach.
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ABSTRACTPurpose: to include the most relevant preoperative imaging features of sacrococcygeal teratoma (SCT) in a grading system that would provide guidance to surgeons during excision of such rare tumors.Patients and Methods: The medical records of patients with SCT, who were managed at our hospital during the period 2009 through 2016, were retrospectively reviewed. Only cases of SCT with available preoperative cross-sectional imaging studies (MRI and/or CT scans) were included in the study. The preoperative imaging features were correlated to the operative and pathological findings.Results: The study included 24 cases of SCT (20 females and 4 males). Their age at presentation ranged from day one to 36 months. The following were identified as relevant preoperative imaging features to be included in our proposed grading system: tumor size, level of deep extension of the tumor, and tumor consistency. Among predominantly cystic SCT, a special subtype C3 could be identified with its characteristic irregular internal cyst wall thickening caused by the in-growth of solid tumor component. These cases were always associated with immature pathology.Conclusion: MRI is a useful modality in the preoperative assessment of cases of SCT by providing a grading system that can indicate for the prognosis and degree of expected surgical challenge.
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