Urethral crest masses refer to abnormal growths or lumps found on the urethral crest, which is a part of the male urethra. The urethra is the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body. These masses can sometimes indicate a health issue and require proper diagnosis and treatment.
Pathophysiology (Structure, Blood, Nerve Supply)
The urethral crest is a raised area along the urethra that contributes to the passage of urine. It has a structure composed mainly of muscular and epithelial cells. The blood supply to the urethra comes from branches of the internal pudendal artery and inferior vesical artery. Nerve supply is from the pelvic plexus, which controls the muscles for urination.
Types of Urethral Crest Masses
- Benign masses (non-cancerous growths)
- These can include cysts, polyps, or fibromas.
- Malignant masses (cancerous growths)
- These are rarer but can include transitional cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma.
- Infectious masses
- Sometimes, inflammation or infection in the urethra can result in lumps or masses.
Causes of Urethral Crest Masses
- Infections (e.g., urinary tract infections, sexually transmitted infections)
- Benign growths (e.g., cysts, polyps)
- Trauma to the urethra
- Chronic inflammation
- Urethral stricture (narrowing of the urethra)
- Cancer (e.g., urethral carcinoma)
- Abscess formation (pus-filled lump due to infection)
- Congenital conditions (birth defects)
- Urethral stones
- Post-surgical changes (e.g., after prostate surgery)
- Interstitial cystitis
- Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection
- Urethral diverticulum (pocket-like structure)
- Urethral polyps
- Hypertrophy of tissue
- Lymphatic blockage
- Tuberculosis
- Chemical irritation
- Poor hygiene
- Chronic use of catheters
Symptoms of Urethral Crest Masses
- Painful urination (dysuria)
- Blood in urine (hematuria)
- Difficulty urinating (dysuria)
- Frequent urge to urinate
- Urgency or incontinence
- Swelling or lump in the urethra area
- Pain during sexual activity
- Discharge from the urethra
- Pelvic pain
- Lower abdominal pain
- Fever
- Chills
- Flank pain
- Difficulty in starting urination
- Weak urine stream
- Pain around the bladder area
- Persistent urinary tract infections
- Increased night-time urination
- Pain after bladder emptying
- Bloody or cloudy urine
Diagnostic Tests for Urethral Crest Masses
- Urine analysis (checking for blood, infection)
- Cystoscopy (using a camera to look inside the urethra)
- Ultrasound (non-invasive imaging)
- CT scan (for detailed images of the urethra and surrounding organs)
- MRI (used for soft tissue examination)
- X-ray (used to detect stones or abnormalities)
- Urine culture (to identify infection-causing bacteria)
- Biopsy (taking a sample of tissue to check for cancer)
- Urethral swab (to test for sexually transmitted infections)
- Uroflowmetry (measuring the flow of urine)
- Bladder scan (measuring the amount of urine left after urination)
- Urethral pressure profile (measuring urethral pressure)
- Cystometric study (assesses bladder function)
- Magnetic resonance urography (MRU, used for urinary tract assessment)
- Urinary cytology (examining urine for abnormal cells)
- Urethral dilation test (measuring the size of the urethra)
- Retrograde urethrogram (X-ray with contrast dye to highlight urethra)
- Penile ultrasound (for male patients, focusing on the urethra)
- Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test (to rule out prostate issues)
- Urodynamic testing (assessing the function of the bladder and urethra)
Non-Pharmacological Treatments for Urethral Crest Masses
- Hydration (increasing fluid intake)
- Warm baths (to relieve discomfort)
- Pelvic floor exercises (Kegel exercises)
- Dietary changes (avoiding irritants like caffeine or alcohol)
- Physical therapy (for bladder and pelvic health)
- Stress reduction (to avoid exacerbation of symptoms)
- Biofeedback (to improve bladder control)
- Diet rich in antioxidants (to reduce inflammation)
- Wearing loose-fitting clothes
- Hygiene practices (to reduce infections)
- Pelvic massages (relieving muscle tension)
- Using a sitz bath (to ease pelvic discomfort)
- Avoiding bladder irritants (spicy foods, acidic foods)
- Frequent urination schedule (to avoid retention)
- Physical relaxation techniques (meditation)
- Perineal care (care for the area between the genitals and anus)
- Epidural steroid injections (to reduce inflammation)
- Acupuncture (relieves symptoms for some people)
- Heat therapy (to reduce pain)
- Use of a catheter (temporary)
- Psychological counseling (if psychological factors are contributing)
- Breathing exercises (relieve tension)
- Postural therapy (improving body posture to reduce strain)
- Avoiding tight clothing
- Acupressure
- Chiropractic care
- Avoiding prolonged sitting
- Incorporating anti-inflammatory herbs
- Reducing alcohol and smoking
- Sleep hygiene
Drugs for Urethral Crest Masses
- Antibiotics (for infection control)
- Pain relievers (acetaminophen, ibuprofen)
- Alpha-blockers (to help with urination issues)
- Anti-inflammatory medications
- Corticosteroids (reduce inflammation)
- Topical numbing creams (for local relief)
- Antispasmodic drugs (for muscle spasms)
- Diuretics (to manage urinary retention)
- Hormonal therapy (for certain types of cancer)
- Immunotherapy (for cancer treatment)
- Chemotherapy drugs (for urethral cancer)
- Antibiotics for sexually transmitted infections
- Stool softeners (if constipation is affecting the bladder)
- Pain patches (for localized relief)
- Antifungal medications (for yeast infections)
- Urinary analgesics (reduce discomfort during urination)
- Antiviral medications (for viral infections)
- Testosterone therapy (for related conditions)
- Opioids (for severe pain, prescribed cautiously)
- H2 blockers (reduce stomach acid that could irritate the bladder)
Surgeries for Urethral Crest Masses
- Urethrectomy (removal of the urethra)
- Cystoscopy with biopsy
- Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP)
- Urethral dilation
- Surgical removal of cysts
- Laser treatment for tumors
- Urethral stricture repair
- Bladder augmentation surgery
- Prostate surgery
- Urethral diverticulum excision
Preventative Measures
- Regular hydration
- Good hygiene practices
- Wearing comfortable clothing
- Avoiding unnecessary catheter use
- Safe sexual practices
- Managing chronic health conditions (e.g., diabetes)
- Regular medical checkups
- Vaccination for HPV
- Avoiding excessive alcohol
- Maintaining a healthy weight
When to See a Doctor
- If you experience blood in your urine.
- If pain during urination becomes severe.
- If symptoms persist after treatment.
- If there is difficulty urinating.
- If there is any unusual swelling or lump in the pelvic region
Disclaimer: Each person’s journey is unique, treatment plan, life style, food habit, hormonal condition, immune system, chronic disease condition, geological location, weather and previous medical history is also unique. So always seek the best advice from a qualified medical professional or health care provider before trying any treatments to ensure to find out the best plan for you. This guide is for general information and educational purposes only. Regular check-ups and awareness can help to manage and prevent complications associated with these diseases conditions. If you or someone are suffering from this disease condition bookmark this website or share with someone who might find it useful! Boost your knowledge and stay ahead in your health journey. We always try to ensure that the content is regularly updated to reflect the latest medical research and treatment options. Thank you for giving your valuable time to read the article.
