Fluoroscopy-guided balloon dilation of a proximal urethral stricture caused by a urethral membrane in a female cat

Rincon Alvarez, Javier; Smith, Victoria; Broome, Cameron

The cat was anaesthetised. While in dorsal recumbency, a 9.5 Fr cystoscope (67030 BA; Karl Storz-Endoskope) was introduced into the distal urethra. The stricture was identified as a membranous structure arising from the urethral mucosa, with a very narrow lumen leading to the bladder neck ( Figure 2) . A 0.014-inch guidewire was introduced into the bladder across the urethral Endoscopic image from the urethra at the level of the bladder neck. Membranous structure causing urethral stricture, with a small opening to the urinary bladder (black arrow), can be appreciated, preventing the cystoscope from reaching the bladder stricture, followed by placement of a 4 Fr micro-introducer to minimally dilate the stricture. This allowed passage of a 5 mm percutaneous transluminal angioplasty balloon dilation catheter (Sterling PTA Balloon; Boston Scientific). The positioning of the balloon was confirmed and monitored by fluoroscopy. The stricture was dilated with 5 ml of sterile saline introduced for 15 s into the balloon dilation catheter. Cystoscopic evaluation post-dilation revealed successful dilation of the stricture (Figure 3 ). The bladder lumen was evaluated with no abnormalities identified.