Congenital polyp of the prostatic urethra in childhood. Report of 3 cases and review of literature.

Congenital polyps of the prostatic urethra are supposed to be rare benign hamartomatous protrusions of the urethral wall in infants. The core contains predominantly connective tissue with cellular constituents of the lamina propria, but also smooth muscle cells, islets of glandular cells and even nerve tissue have been described. The core is lined by transitional epithelium, but in several cases squamous metaplasia has been reported. Because the polyp may act as a ball valve, mainly obstructive symptoms are presented. Suprapubic approach is generally recommended resecting a polyp; however, smaller lesions are accessible to transurethral resection. Three cases presenting different symptoms are reported. In 1 patient the polyp contained keratinized squamous epithelium.