A Rare Case of Prostatic Utricle with Crossover Vas Deferens in Children

Abstract

Background: A prostatic utricle (PU) is an unusual pathology with most patients being asymptomatic. However, approximately 29% of patients may show lower urinary tract symptoms, recurrent urinary tract infections (UTI), postvoid dribbling, urethral discharge, epididymo-orchitis, stones, and secondary incontinence caused by urine trapping in the pouch and urinary retention. The standard treatment is through surgical resection, but it is only offered to patients with symptoms. Case summary: We report a case involving a six-year-old boy with congenital hypothyroidism and penoscrotal hypospadias who had previously undergone onlay urethroplasty for the proximal shaft, chordee release, orchidopexy for bilateral undescended testis, and laparoscopic herniorrhaphy for left inguinal hernia. However, the patient later evolved the repetition of UTI and right epididymo-orchitis. Cyclic voiding cystourethrography confirmed the presence of a cystic lesion communicating with the prostatic urethra from the utricle. The PU was then excised laparoscopically. The utricle was identified posterior to the bladder, and insertions of the vas deferens crossover into the utricle were detected by laparoscopy. The post-procedure course was uneventful. Conclusions: Laparoscopic resection of PUs offers a better exposure field, improved wound appearance, complete resection, and reduces the incidence of complications. During laparoscopy, the PU was clearly distinguished from the bladder or other pelvic organs. An incidental finding of vas deferens crossover has rarely been reported. A combined cystoscopy and laparoscopy for PU resection is executable, safe, and valid in this patient population.