The evaluation of the results of elastography and sonourethrography in males with anterior urethral stricture compared to the results of elastography in normal areas of urethra in the same person

Abstract

Urethral stricture is the abnormal narrowing of any part of urethra due to scar tissue and fibrosis formation. The severity of spongiofibrosis around the urethra can predict the recurrence of stricture. Common imaging only shows the length and anatomical location of the stenosis, so if it is possible to measure the severity of fibrosis around the stenosis area with appropriate imaging we can hope that determining the severity of spongiofibrosis will help to choose the right treatment for patients. Therefore, this study was conducted with the aim of evaluation of the results of elastography and sonourethrography in males with anterior urethral stricture compared to the results of elastography in normal areas of urethra in the same person. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the number of 19 patients who had penile or bulbar urethral stricture confirmed by retrograde uretherography or voiding cystourethrography were subjected to sonourethrography and elastography. The elasticity of the sponges was measured in normal areas with and without traction of the penis, stricture site and 1-2 cm distance from the stricture site. The results of elastography with data related to age, etiology and location of stenosis and history of previous surgeries were statistically analyzed. Results: According to the results, the average elasticity (± standard deviation) in the normal area with traction was 82.36 (47.33), stenosis site was 43.98 (25.6), 1 to 2 cm of the stenosis was 27.48 (12.07) and the normal area without traction was 20.71 (12.71). Comparing the elasticity of the stenosis area with the normal area, had confidence interval 16.25-30.3 and P value=0.000, comparing the elasticity of the area around the stenosis with normal area had confidence range 3.3-8.8 and P value=0.000 and comparing the elasticity of the area around the stenosis with the stenosis had confidence range 9.9-25.3 with P value=0.000.