Role of sonourethrography in anterior urethral stricture

Abstract

Conventional urethrography although the most commonly used technique for diagnosis and characterization of anterior urethral stricture has limitations in accurate characterization with associated complications. We compared retrograde urethrogram and/or micturating cystourethrogram (RGU and/or MCU) and sonourethrography in evaluation of anterior urethral stricture. Diagnostic accuracy of RGU was 85.71% compared to 96.44% of sonourethrography. This difference between RGU and sonourethrography was mainly in penobulbar (70% and 90% respectively) and bulbar region (93.75% and 100% respectively). RGU/MCU underestimated the length by 37%, which was statistically significant. Sonourethrography detected periurethral spongiofibrosis. All these characteristics are important for proper selection of treatment modalities. Sonourethrography was used for follow-up in 19 patients and correctly diagnosed the recurrence in short follow-up of up to 6 months (mean follow-up = 4.6 months).