Congenital urethral polyps in children: report of 18 patients and review of literature.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: To evaluate the presentation, diagnosis and management of congenital urethral polyps (CUP) in children and to report the results of the endoscopic resection of polyp with long-term follow-up.

METHODS

Between April 1995 to March 2010, 18 children (14 boys, 4 girls) with CUP were treated. The most common presentation was urinary outflow obstruction/retention, hematuria or protruding polyp from the urethra meatus in girls. Six patients presented with vesicoureteral reflux (VUR). All children (except one) underwent a transurethral resection of the CUP.

RESULTS

Following the endoscopic resection of the polyps, there was no polyp recurrence, and all patients became symptom-free. The children exhibited no reflux, urinary retention, hematuria or urinary tract infection (UTI) following endoscopic management. Abnormal uroflowmetry patterns returned to normal following the resection of the polyp for one year after the operation.

CONCLUSIONS

Urethral polyps must be considered in every child with history of triad of recurrent intermittent urinary retention, hematuria and lower urinary tract symptoms. The cure can be achieved in all cases by an endoscopic approach. This type of tumor is always benign and very rarely recurs, unless the pedicle stalk is not resected. The endoscopic management of reflux is unnecessary in this group of patients due to their natural history of secondary reflux.