ABSTRACT
Periurethral masses Periurethral vaginal masses, which may be found by clinicians on routine gynecological examination or at the time of cystourethroscopy, are frequently associated with urinary or genital symptoms. Cystourethroscopy plays an important role in the diagnosis of periurethral masses, primarily to exclude a urethral diverticulum (UD) and other intraurethral causes (e.g. tumors). Urethral cancer can present as hematuria or an anterior vagina wall swelling or mass (see Figure 10.15), and requires urgent diagnosis and treatment. Urethral cancers will be covered in Chapter 10. Injury to the urinary tract can occur in the surgical
management of periurethral conditions, so that endoscopic inspection following surgery should be performed. Any damage caused should be repaired to prevent the risk of postoperative complications such as urethral stricture or urethrovaginal fistula, difficult problems which are not uncommon after urethral and periurethral surgery.
