Intraoperative Endo-Luminal Ultrasound Evaluation of Urethral Diverticula

The imaging accuracy of a catheter-based endo-luminal ultrasound system was compared to traditional imaging techniques for surgical treatment of urethral diverticula in 7 women and 1 man. At surgical repair the urethra was catheterized directly with a 6.2F or 9F (12.5 or 20 MHz.) catheter-based ultrasound transducer, generating a 360-degree transaxial real-time image. The endo-luminal ultrasound images were compared with preoperative voiding cystourethrography (7 patients), transvaginal ultrasound examinations (3) and double balloon urethrograms (2). Surgical diverticulectomy was then done with endo-luminal ultrasound monitoring.