Complete duplication of the urethra in a boy with epispadias

Abstract

Duplication of the urethra is a rare abnormality that can occur with other urogenital tract congenital pathologies. Ischemia at embryogenesis, urogenital sinus defect, Muller`s duct anomaly and incomplete mesodermal fusion are the pathophysiological mechanisms of the pathology onset. Duplication of the urethra diagnostics is based on clinical examination, disease anamnesis, urethrography and magnetic resonance imaging. It is nessessary to consider Effmann and Leibowitz classification, urethras and prostate location and urethral orifice distance on operation of additional urethra removing.

Clinical case. Presenting a clinical case of a boy with grade I epispadias and complete duplication of the urethra. Urination was maintained and was performed from the dorsal-epispadic urethra, the ventral urethra was obliterated in the distal region. According to the data of magnetic resonance imaging: double urethra is traced, dorsal – comes out from the anterior parts of the bladder wall, continues along the dorsal surface under the dorsal neurovascular bundle, above the cavernous bodies. The urethra opening is traced at the level of the upper surface of the head of the penis. The distal / ventral urethra comes out from the posterior parts of the lower bladder wall, typically continues down through the prostate embryo, rotated forward between of the corporas cavernosas stipes, and had a typical location with except for the level of the penis head, where it bends and merges with the dorsal urethra, which opens with a single opening.

The surgery of excision of an additional urethra on child was performed. During the examination of the child of 6 months after surgery: urination with one stream from the ventral urethra at the apex of the head of the penis, stream freely passes the Nelaton catheter No. 10, child holds urine, there was no complaints. Performing of the next stage of the operation (penis plastic surgery) is planned after 1 year of the previous stage.

Conclusions. In cases of epispadias is possible a congenital defect – a complete douplication of the urethra with the ventral urethra obliteration at the top of the head, which may not be determined in epispadias surgery preparation. Doubling of the urethra in boys requires magnetic resonance imaging for a better orientation in the defect anatomy and to determine the tactics of further surgical treatment.

The research was carried out in accordance with the principles of the Helsinki declaration. The informed consent of the patient was obtained for conducting the studies.

No conflict of interest was declared by the authors.