Imaging the urethra in men and women

This review describes and illustrates the radiologic techniques, normal anatomy, and common congenital and acquired lesions of the urethra in men and women. Voiding cystourethrography and retrograde urethrography are the most common imaging modalities employed in the diagnosis of anatomic lesions of the urethra. The appearance of the urethra may then dictate the need for further functional evaluation with urodynamic studies. Congenital lesions in men include posterior and anterior urethral valves and duplicated urethra. In women, ectopic insertion of the ureter into the urethra is the usual congenital lesion. Acquired urethral lesions include benign prostatic hypertrophy in men and strictures and diverticula in both men and women.