Clinical features and long-term outcomes of idiopathic urethrorrhagia

Abstract

The aim of this study was to describe the clinical features and long-termoutcome of the patients who were treated at our institution for idiopathicurethrorrhagia. The data of 10 male patients, who underwent cystoscopybetween October 2010 and March 2013 due to urethrorrhagia, were evaluatedretrospectively. Ten male patients aged between 8 and 16 years at firstsubmission. Four patients (40%) had low voiding frequency (2-3 per day). Threeof the four patients had abnormal uroflowmetry/EMG findings. Cystoscopywas done in all patients which revealed bulbar urethral inflammation andhemorrhage in all. Symptoms were not resolved on three of the patientswho were under observation, having symptoms on average for 29.6±10.5months. Complete resolution developed in the other seven patients. Six ofthe patients` symptoms were resolved soon after cystoscopy. In the patients’with or without normal uroflowmetry/EMG findings urethrorrhagia resolutionrates were 86% and 33%, respectively. In the evaluation of urethrorrhagia;detailed history taking, basic laboratory investigation and cystoscopy areenough. The typical patients may be treated expectantly. In our opinion, itseems that dysfunctional voiding and infrequent voiding might cause delayedremission and/or recurrence of urethrorrhagia. Even though, it does not effectthe treatment, in the persistent cases, confirmation of diagnosis by cystoscopyhelps to lessen the anxiety of the family and might decrease the use of manyunnecessary diagnostic tools in the long term follow ups.