Endoscopic Evaluation of the Female with Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms

Chang, Sae Yong; Kim, Tai Chin

Abstract

463 female patients visited our hospital due to lower urinary tract symptoms during the period from March 1st, 1980 to February 28th, 1981. Among them, 127 female patients whose urinalysis was normal were performed endoscopic examination and studied clinically, based on endoscopic findings. The results are summerized as follows. 1) The endoscopic findings were classified into 5 groups. Group I: Almost normal urethral mucosa, bladder neck and vesical mucosa, 11 cases. Group II: Gray-whitish velvety trigone with almost normal urethra and bladder neck, 16 cases. Group III: Mild granular hyperemia of the urethra, bladder neck and trigone 31 cases. Group IV: Mild bullous hyperemia of the urethra, bladder neck and trigone with a few pseudopolyps, 43 cases. Group V: Marked granular hyperemia of the urethra with many pseudopolyps and bullous hyperemia of bladder neck and trigone, 26 cases. 2) The most common age group was in 4th decade (33.8%). Group I and group II were younger than group IV and group V. 3) Common symptoms were frequency (78.0%), tenesmus (68.5%), painful urination (26.8%), urgency (20.5%), suprapubic discomfort (33.1%) and lumbago (18.9%). There were no significant differences among 5 groups. 4) 47 cases had the history of urethritis-cystitis and it was outstanding in group IV and group V. 5) Trabeculation (52.8%) was the most common change in bladder on cystoscopic examination. Meatal stenosis which was found in 44 cases (34.6%) was the most common associated disease. Endoscopic examination was necessary to establish the correct diagnosis and determine the therapeutic choice such as conservative, surgical and psychological treatment in female urethral syndrome.