Urology Case Reports (May 2022)

Painless penile periurethral polymicrobial abscess causing urinary retention

  • Arsalan Tariq,
  • Adam G. Stewart,
  • Patrick E. Teloken,
  • Nigel T. Dunglison,
  • Benjamin F. Martin,
  • Matthew J. Roberts

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 42
p. 102037

Abstract

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In contemporary urological practice periurethral abscesses are rare. We report the case of a 61-year-old presenting with a painless penile mass and urinary retention. He underwent imaging with ultrasonography, targeted antibiotics and successful source control through open incision and drainage. He has been symptom, recurrence and complication free at 24 months post intervention. Risk factors for abscesses include obstruction, trauma, urethral diverticula and urethral carcinoma. Inadequate detection and treatment may lead to urethral fistulae, strictures and rarely, necrotizing fasciitis. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a periurethral abscess presenting as a painless penile mass causing urinary retention.

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