Meatal stenosis

As meatal stenosis (from the Latin meatus for " way, path " and Greek στένωση, stenosi, " narrowing " ) refers to the narrowing of the urethral orifice.

Causes

The meatal stenosis may be congenital or acquired through injury and inflammation. In some cases, also be caused by a benign or malignant tumor cornered. After circumcisions the foreskin also Meatusstenosen are often known as a possible complication, depending on the degree of frequency of up to 9-10 %, or even 11%.

Symptoms

Although the male meatus stenosis is more common, in principle, can be affected men and women. Female meatal stenosis is associated with a congenital malformation and can be felt by infections of the urethra tract and Bedwetting. The main symptom of male urinary meatus stenosis is an attenuated, beyond an inadequate bladder emptying, urinary tract infections, painful urination and a twisted or forked stream of urine may occur. In tumors, a blood admixture is possible ( hematuria).

Diagnostics

First, a physical examination is necessary. Here, the constriction can often be seen with the naked eye. Furthermore, a measurement of the degree of tightness of a so-called urethra calibration is required. These plastic or metal rods (called bougies ) of different diameter are inserted into the urethra and thus determines the degree of tightness. Furthermore, it is a Harnstrahlmessung with residual urine clarify the urodynamic relevance. A urethra mirror should also be performed to the exclusion of urethral cancers.

Therapy

Here is a surgery the treatment of choice because other methods have shown no long-term success. Often a slit ( meatotomy ) is sufficient. At higher grade or complex constrictions can also reconstruct the urethra orifice, called Meatusplastik be necessary. Are urethral tumors, the cause, the operative procedure, depending on their dignity takes place ( courtesy of the tumor).