CT virtual cystourethroscopy for complex urethral strictures: an investigative, descriptive study.

PURPOSE: To compare the values of CT virtual cystourethroscopy and of conventional cystourethroscopy in diagnosing complex urethral strictures.

METHODS

From January 2012 to December 2012, 33 patients, suspected of having complex urethral strictures before operation, were enrolled in this study. After CT scanning, a virtual cystourethroscopic view was software-generated. Conventional cystourethroscopy was also used before operation. The time durations of virtual cystourethroscopy and conventional cystourethroscopy were recorded. The accuracies of both techniques were compared using the actual findings from the operation.

RESULTS

For 16 patients suffering from urethral strictures associated with various fistulas, the duration of examination with virtual cystourethroscopy was statistically significantly shorter than with conventional cystourethroscopy (P < 0.001). The detection rate of fistula by virtual cystourethroscopy was similar to than by conventional cystourethroscopy (P = 0.057). The same results were obtained in eight patients suffering from urethral strictures associated with false passages. Only virtual cystourethroscopy could reveal the details of the urethral lumen in nine patients suffering from long anterior urethral strictures caused by lichen sclerosus. By contrast, conventional cystourethroscopy failed in those same patients.

CONCLUSION

CT virtual cystourethroscopy is a useful technique for the diagnosis of urethral disease, especially in male patients suffering from complex urethral strictures.