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Congenital narrowing of the urethra
Medical expert of the article
Last reviewed: 07.07.2025
[ Diagnostics congenital narrowing of the urethra
The diagnosis is established based on urethrography data (descending and ascending): in the proximal sections the urethra is dilated.
Signs such as trabecularity of the bladder walls, false diverticula, and residual urine are detected only in cases of severe stenosis.
It is necessary to differentiate between congenital stenosis of the urethra and acquired stenosis (most often occurring in girls) caused by recurrent cystitis and urethritis.
Calibration of the urethra in girls with bougies (from smaller to larger size according to age) only allows one to suspect stenosis, but not to establish the correct diagnosis, since the caliber of the urethra in them is very variable.
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Treatment congenital narrowing of the urethra
In case of mild obstruction, narrowing of the urethra is treated with bougienage. Patients with stenosis of the distal urethra are recommended to undergo meatotomy (dissection of its external opening). In this case, a catheter of a size corresponding to the child's age is left in the urethra for several days. In case of diagnosis of acquired meatal stenosis, conservative treatment of the disease is carried out.