Rare congenital abnormalities of the anterior urethra.

Congenital abnormalities of the anterior urethra other than hypospadias (valve, diverticulum, and megalourethra) are rare conditions and can be difficult to diagnose. Based on five recent cases of these urethral abnormalities, we review the embryology and the English literature, and have found reports of about 100 cases of valve and diverticulum and 50 cases of megalourethra. For all these abnormalities, the clinical presentation depends on age and the diagnosis depends essentially on voiding cystourethrography, which must show the entire urethra, and careful urethroscopic examination.