International Urology and Nephrology (2006) 38:273–274 Ó Springer 2006

DOI 10.1007/s11255-006-0034-1

Parameatal cyst of urethra: A rare congenital anomaly

Metin Onaran1, Mustafa Özgür Tan1, Ahmet Çamtosun1, Lokman Irkilata1,

Ozlem Erdem2 & Ibrahim Bozkirli1
1
Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey; 2Department of Pathology,
Faculty of Medicine, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey

Abstract. We report a case of parameatal urethral cyst in a 15-year-old boy which is a very rare congenital
anomaly. The cyst recognized at infancy but the boy presented to our clinic at the age of 15 when the mass
was grown enough to cause spraying of urine and poor cosmesis. Complete excision of the cyst with total
removal of the epithelium is required for treatment and prevention of recurrence.

Key words: Anomaly, Congenital, Parameatal cyst, Treatment, Urethra

Parameatal urethral cyst is a very rare congenital Discussion

anomaly and very few cases has been reported in
the literature [1–8]. We like to remind this rare Since parameatal urethral cyst was first reported
but easy to treat pathology by presenting another by Lantin and Thompson [1] in 1956, nearly 25
case. cases have been reported in the literature [2–8].
The anomaly might be recognized at infancy but
the treatment is deferred as it is usually asymp-
Case report tomatic at this period. Thus, the usual age of
presentation is early to late childhood. The usual
A 15-year-old boy presented on January 12, 2005,
with a 108 mm mass on the right side of the
urethral meatus (Figure 1). The mass was recog-
nized at infancy but as it was very small and totally
asymptomatic the family did not seek medical
advice. In time the growth of the cystic mass led to
deflection and spraying of the urinary stream and
poor cosmesis. The cyst was completely excised
under general anesthesia taking care to remove all
of the lining epithelium. His postoperative course
was totally uneventful. Histological examination
revealed that the cyst was lined with transitional
epithelium and there was no evidence of infection
or inflammation (Figure 2). Six months of follow-
up showed no recurrence and the patient was to-
tally asymptomatic with a forceful forward urinary
stream. Figure 1. Parameatal urethral cyst.
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Figure 2. Transitional cell epithelium lining the urethral cyst
(HE200).
symptoms are spraying or deflection of urinary
stream and poor cosmesis.
Histological examination showed that these
cysts are lined by different types of epithelium like
columnar, transitional, cuboidal or squamous [8].
The pathogenesis of parameatal cyst is obscure.
Certain theories were put forward. Lantin and
Thompson [1] suggested that these cysts might be
caused by faulty separation of the preputium from
the glans while Shiraki [4] and others proposed
occlusion of the parameatal ducts [3]. Acquired
cases might be related to infection [5].
Complete excision of the cyst with total
removal of the epithelium is required for treatment
and prevention of recurrence. Simple aspiration or
unroofing of the cysts might cause recurrence
[2,7,8].
References
1. Lantin PM, Thompson IM. Parameatal cysts of the glans
penis. J Urol 1956; 76: 753–755.
2. Yoshida K, Nakame Y, Negishi T. Parameatal urethral
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3. Oka M, Nakashima K, Sokoda R. Congenital parameatal
urethral cyst in the male. Br J Urol 1978; 50(5): 340–341.
4. Shiraki IW.. Parameatal cysts of the glans penis: a report of
9 cases. J Urol 1975; 114(4): 544–548.
5. Hill JT, Handley Ashken M. Parameatal urethral cyst: a
review of 6 cases. Br J Urol 1977; 49(4): 323–325.
6. Malatinsky E. Parameatal urethral cyst. Urol Int 1989; 44:
187–188.
7. Kawakami S, Yamada T, Watanabe T, Negishi T. Para-
meatal urethral cyst: case reports and review of the litera-
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8. Koga S, Arakaki Y, Matsuoka M, Ohyama C. Parameatal
urethral cysts of glans penis. Br J Urol 1990; 65(1):
101–103.
Address for correspondence: Metin Onaran, Gazi University,
School of Medicine, Urology Department, 12. kat, 06510 Be-
sevler, Ankara, Turkey
Phone: + 90 312 202 62 48
E-mail: monaran@gazi.edu.tr