Bladder base impressions in women: "female prostate".

Bladder base impressions due to prostate hypertrophy are a common urographic finding in older males. A similar appearance may be occasionally seen in females and presents a more difficult diagnostic problem. Sixteen such cases of bladder base defects in females at two institutions were identified. The impressions were caused by symphysis pubis asymmetry, postoperative change, urethral diverticulum, levator ani impression, or "urethral syndrome." Vaginal fibromyoma, ectopic ureterocele, and intramural bladder neoplasm can also cause this defect, although no such cases were found in this series.