Diagnosis and treatment of rare urethral pathologies in children

Objective: to improve the diagnosis and treatment of urethral pathologies in boys through transurethral resection of the urethral valve and urethral cysts with a holmium laser.

Materials and methods: this article describes a clinical case of two boys with rare forms of the urethral valve and urethral cyst, which caused urinary dysfunction and urinary tract infection. One child had an anterior urethral valve accompanied by an anorectal malformation. The latter was managed with proctoplasty.

Results: at 3-month follow-up, all clinical manifestations had resolved and parents reported no complaints. Voiding normalized and signs of urinary tract infection resolved. No evidence of urethral stricture was detected.

Conclusion: an anterior urethral valve variant that divides the urethral lumen into two channels is extremely rare. An anterior urethral cyst that contributes to bladder outlet obstruction is also uncommon Timely diagnosis and endoscopic elimination of the valve and cyst can prevent progression of urinary tract obstruction. These observations support the importance of antenatal ultrasound screening and early postnatal evaluation for congenital lower urinary tract obstruction. 

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