Periurethral Masses Are Rare -- And Usually Benign

When women present with discomfort and possible masses in the genital region, what are the likely diagnoses? To address this question, investigators retrospectively reviewed a private New York urology and urogynecology practice database of 1950 women.

During 9 years, 79 women (4%) turned out to have periurethral masses. Seventy-two had been referred because of persistent lower urinary tract symptoms or incontinence; only 7 had been referred specifically for evaluation of masses.

Urethral diverticulum was the final diagnosis in 66 cases (84%), which included 4 cases of malignancy. Uncommon diagnoses were vaginal cyst, leiomyoma, ectopic ureter, infected granuloma, and (in 2 cases) vaginal squamous cell carcinoma. Masses were palpable in 42 pat…