Table of Contents
Can posterior urethral valve be cured?
Management and Treatment The most common treatment for posterior urethral valves is a minor surgical procedure to remove the obstructing valve. This is done through a cystoscope with a camera that is inserted into the urethra. The valve is burned away (ablated).
What is posterior urethral valve syndrome?
Posterior urethral valves are a condition in which there are extra flaps of tissue in a male’s urethra that block urine. The extra flaps of tissue are called posterior urethral valves (PUVs). They can partially or completely block the flow of urine, which causes urine to back up.
How is posterior urethral valve diagnosed?
The diagnosis of posterior urethral valves is made by radiographic imaging with ultrasound and voiding cystourethrogram. Ultrasound will usually show a dilated urethra, bladder, and kidneys; it is supportive of the diagnosis of posterior urethral valves, but not confirmatory.
How common is PUV?
PUV are thought to develop in the early stages of fetal development. The abnormality affects only male infants and occurs in about 1 in 8,000 births. This disorder is usually sporadic (occurs by chance).
Can females have posterior urethral valves?
Congenital posterior urethral valves are a common cause of severe lower urinary tract obstruction in young males (4, 6). Some authors have stated that urethral valves occur exclusively in males (2, 6), but others have indicated that the lesions may rarely be encountered in females (3–5, 7).
Why is posterior urethral valves only in males?
What causes posterior urethral valves? Urethral valves are congenital, which means that boys are born with these extra flaps of tissue. It’s still not clear what causes these disorders, but they are believed to occur early on in male fetal development and may have a genetic component.
Is posterior urethral valve hereditary?
What is PUV in pregnancy?
A posterior urethral valve (PUV) is a leftover flap of fetal tissue that is located in the urethra. The urethra is the tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body. PUV develops during the early weeks of pregnancy.
Is PUV serious?
PUV can cause serious problems because they stop – or partially stop – urine flowing out of the bladder and through the urethra. After the PUV are removed by surgery, some boys have no symptoms or complications.
Are urethral valves normal?
Urethral valves are congenital, which means that boys are born with these extra flaps of tissue. It’s still not clear what causes these disorders, but they are believed to occur early on in male fetal development and may have a genetic component. Normally, the flaps of tissue in the urethra are very small structures.
What are the dangers of a posterior urethral valve?
What are the dangers of posterior urethral valves? If posterior urethral valves are not diagnosed early, severe damage can be caused to a child’s urethra, bladder, ureter and kidneys. The organs of the urinary tract can swell with urine and tissue damage can result.
When does a posterior urethral valve ( PUV ) develop?
The valve can obstruct or block the outflow of urine through the urethra. When this occurs, the bladder, ureters and kidneys become progressively dilated, which can lead to damage. The degree that the urine is blocked will determine the severity of the urinary tract problems. PUV are thought to develop in the early stages of fetal development.
What causes an obstruction of the posterior urethra?
Posterior urethral valves (PUV) are the most common cause of fetal lower urinary tract obstruction, also called bladder outlet obstruction. Membranous tissue in the posterior urethra results in varying degrees of obstruction. The condition occurs only in males, although other etiologies of bladder outlet obstruction can affect females and males.
Can a cystourethrogram show posterior urethral valves?
Posterior Urethral Valves. Ultrasound will usually show a dilated urethra, bladder, and kidneys; it is supportive of the diagnosis of posterior urethral valves, but not confirmatory. Voiding cystourethrogram is the most definitive study for diagnosis and will show a characteristic tapering of the urethra.