Urethral Valves vs. External Sphincter Muscle of the Bladder

Urethral Valves vs. External Sphincter Muscle of the Bladder

Left picture: The cause of the recurrent urinary tract infection are posterior urethral valves. On asking about a possible voiding disorder of the bladder, the parents mention a somewhat weak urinary stream since birth. Right picture: On cystoscopy no cause of the repeated urinary tract infections was found. The suspected circular obstruction corresponds to a prominent external sphincter muscle of the bladder, which is not always recognizable in such a distinct way, and is here a normal finding and not rare Type III urethral valves according to Young.

Left picture: In this infant with recurrent urinary tract infection the seminal colliculus is visible on endoscopy with two folds running from its lower end in a lateral and anterior direction. Endoscopy was one element of the work-up examinations. Right picture: In this infant with recurrent urinary tract infections, too, the seminal colliculus is recognizable on diagnostic cystourethroscopy. In addition, a circular fold is visible distally from the end of the colliculus, which reminds of an obstruction of the urethra.