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Contact Diagnosis Stenosis or Narrowing of the Urethra
To diagnose urethral stricture, tests are performed that analyze the bladder capacity, the state of the urinary tract and the strength of the urinary muscles, among other aspects that are discussed below.
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Diagnosis of Urethral Stenosis or Urethral Narrowing
The diagnosis is made on the basis of the symptoms presented by the patient and the results of the following diagnostic tests:
Flowmetry
It is a harmless test that measures the flow of urination. It counts the amount of urine the patient is able to urinate per second, the duration of urination and any intermittent flow. In this way the capacity of the bladder, the state of the urinary tract, the strength of the urinary muscles, etc. are known.
The procedure is very simple. The patient simply urinates into a funnel located in an intimate, undisturbed area, room or bathroom that is closed and quiet. The device collects a graph showing the volume of urine versus the time taken.
To prepare for this test, it is recommended to urinate three hours before the appointment with the urologist and then drink a glass of water every 30 minutes. The test is not valid with a small amount of urine or when the bladder is at its maximum amount and the patient can no longer hold the urge to urinate.
After flowmetry it is important to measure the residual, i.e. the amount of urine remaining in the bladder after voiding is completed. The usual way to do this is to place the ultrasound machine in the lower part of the umbilicus to record the residual urine volume.
Urethroscopy
This test makes it possible to observe the urethra from the inside to detect areas of narrowing and the appearance of the mucosa. To carry it out, a small probe with a camera and light incorporated at the end is inserted into the urethra. This test takes approximately 30 minutes.
Retrograde and voiding urethrography
It consists of the introduction of iodinated contrast into the bladder until the patient indicates that he/she has the urge to urinate. This procedure is performed through a lubricated catheter. X-rays are taken of the urethral pattern during bladder filling and emptying, allowing the number of strictures, their length and location to be determined.
Urethral calibration
It allows to know the diameter of the stenosis thanks to the use of a dilator (plug). The plugs are passed from thinner to thicker.
They ask us in the Consultation
What happens if I don't treat my urethral stricture?
If left untreated, the situation may worsen over time. As the obstruction increases, the bladder will begin to hold urine and problems such as acute urinary retention, bladder diverticula, hydronephrosis, renal failure or stones in the bladder, kidney or ureter may occur.
How do I know I have a narrowing of the urethra?
The symptoms of urethral stricture are very common to other diseases of the urinary tract or prostate. Therefore, to confirm the problem it is necessary to perform diagnostic tests.
What is the best treatment for urethral stricture?
This will depend on the location of the stricture, the length and the previous surgeries we have performed on the stricture. The first step is to perform an internal urethrotomy, but in many cases more aggressive surgeries will have to be performed.
Is self-catheterization effective in treating urethral stricture?
No. Self-catheterization may be a marginal option in some patients but it is not an effective treatment to solve the problem in most people.
Team of the Urethral Stenosis or Constriction unit
Newsof ROC Clinic in Urethral Stenosis or Constriction
Research
Initial experience with thulium fiber laser for prostate enucleation: Analysis of the intraoperative and short-term outcomes in a prospective, multicenter cohort.
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