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Meatal stenosis |
| Definition: |
| Meatal stenosis is a narrowing of the opening of the urethra (the tube through which urine leaves the body).
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| Alternative Names: |
| Urethral meatal stenosis |
| Causes, incidence, and risk factors: |
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This condition can affect both males and females, but it is more common in males. In males, it is often caused by inflammation following the circumcision of a newborn. This leads to abnormal tissue growth and scarring across the urethral opening. The problem is usually not detected until the child is toilet trained. In females, this condition is a congenital (present from birth) abnormality which can cause urinary tract infections and bed-wetting (enuresis). |
| Symptoms: |
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| Signs and tests: |
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In boys, history and physical exam is adequate to make the diagnosis. In girls, VCUG (Voiding Cysto-Urethro-Gram) is usually diagnostic. Other tests may include:
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| Treatment: |
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In females, meatal stenosis can usually be treated in the physician's office using local anesthesia to numb the area and dilating (widening) the urethral opening with special instruments. In boys, meatoplasty, a minor outpatient surgical procedure, is the treatment of choice. |
| Expectations (prognosis): |
| Most people can expect normal urination after treatment. |
| Complications: |
| Persistent urinary problems including abnormal stream, painful urination, frequent urination, urinary incontinence, blood in the urine, and increased susceptibility to urinary tract infections can be complications. |
| Calling your health care provider: |
| Call for an appointment with your health care provider if your child has symptoms of this disorder. |
| Prevention: |
| In a recently circumcised male infant, try to maintain a clean dry diaper and avoid any exposure of the newly circumcized penis to irrititants. |
Reviewed By: Young Kang, M.D., Department of Urology, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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