Juan de dios Berna Mestre
University of Murcia, Spain
Title: New imaging techniques for the male urethra
Biography
Biography: Juan de dios Berna Mestre
Abstract
Statement of the Problem: Introduction of contrast in urethrography was first done using clamp devices coupled to a syringe. These were replaced by the conventional technique using a Foley catheter, which is the most widely used method for performing urethrography. The drawbacks of this method are that it can cause pain on inflation of the balloon and it is not useful in cases with urethromeatal alterations. Sonourethrography has been reported as being more accurate than urethrography for measuring urethral strictures and also for assessing the degree of spongiofibrosis. However, sonourethrography is not widely used, probably due to the difficulty of the technique. The purpose of this study is to describe “The Clamp Method” for performing urethrography, sonourethrography, MR and CT-urethrography. Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: The present study describes a technique to optimize the imaging diagnosis of the male urethra, using a clamp device and a fine prelubricated catheter connected to a drip infusion system. A comparative study with the conventional technique of urethrography was performed. Another study was conducted to evaluate the clamp method for sonourethrography. Findings: Urethrography could not be performed with conventional technique in the 30 percent of the cases, while all the cases were performed by clamp method. Distressing pain was reported in most cases respect inflation of the balloon, and intense pain with urethral bleeding in some of them, while no pain was reported in most cases respect external compression. Sonourethrography showed greater capacity for detecting strictures than urethrography. Conclusion & Significance: The clamp method of urethrography is simple and well tolerated by patients. It enables just one manipulator to perform sonourethrography. Sonographic contrast is necessary for voiding sonourethrography via the transperineal approach. The clamp method can also be used for CT-urethrography and MR- urethrography.