Most common cause of urethral stricture is
**Core Concept**
Urethral stricture refers to the narrowing of the urethra due to scarring, leading to obstructive urinary symptoms. The exact cause of urethral stricture is multifactorial, but it often involves a combination of factors including trauma, infection, and iatrogenic injury.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
Trauma is the most common cause of urethral stricture, accounting for approximately 50-70% of cases. This can occur due to direct blows to the perineum, pelvic fractures, or straddle injuries. The mechanism of injury often involves a sudden increase in urethral pressure, leading to micro-tears and subsequent scarring. The anterior urethra is more commonly affected due to its thinner wall and increased susceptibility to injury.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option B:** Infection, such as urethritis or prostatitis, can contribute to urethral stricture formation, but it is not the most common cause. Infection often leads to a more chronic and low-grade inflammatory response, which may not result in significant scarring.
**Option C:** Congenital urethral stricture is rare and typically presents in infancy or early childhood. Acquired urethral strictures, on the other hand, are much more common and often occur in young adults.
**Option D:** While iatrogenic injury during endoscopy or catheterization can cause urethral stricture, it is not the most common cause. Post-endoscopy stricture is often seen in patients with pre-existing urethral abnormalities or those undergoing repeated procedures.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
It is essential to consider the mechanism of injury and the timing of symptoms when evaluating patients with urethral stricture. A history of recent trauma or pelvic fracture should raise suspicion for urethral injury, and imaging studies such as voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG) or retrograde urethrogram (RUG) may be necessary to confirm the diagnosis.
β Correct Answer: A. Trauma