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We currently have 11 urologists with a variety of interests and specialties in the field of Urology. Choose a physician listed on the right to learn more about that specific physician. You can also call our office or complete the Request a Consultation form on this page to speak directly with one of our staff who can help to schedule you with a physician to meet your needs.
DR. BRIAN
BILLMEYER
Dr. Billmeyer grew up in Omaha, Nebraska. He attended the University of Iowa and graduated with highest distinction with a major in biology and a minor in chemistry. He was selected for membership in the Phi Beta Kappa honor society.
DR. EDWARD “TED”
CAPOCCIA
Dr. Capoccia was born and raised in Kansas City. He attended the University of Kansas for his undergraduate education and majored in human biology. He completed his medical school training at the University of Kansas School of Medicine.
DR. TYLER
EMLEY
Dr. Emley was born in Michigan and grew up in New Hampshire. He graduated magna cum laude from Indiana University/Bloomington in 1995 with degrees in Biology and Sociology. He was selected for the Phi Beta Kappa honor society.
DR. PRIYANKA
KUMAR
Dr. Kumar grew up in Crown Point, IN and graduated from Merrillville High School before pursuing a degree in Biology, with a minor in business administration from the University of Southern Indiana.
DR. KEVIN
PARIKH
Dr. Parikh grew up in Schererville, Indiana. After graduating as valedictorian from Lake Central High School, he went on to Indiana University where he obtained a business degree from the Kelley School of Business and minors in both chemistry and biology.
DR. ADAM
PERLMUTTER
Dr Perlmutter grew up on Long Island, New York. He majored in biology at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. He received his medical degree from New York College of Osteopathic Medicine.
DR. MANOJ
RAO
Dr. Rao was born in Chicago and grew up in Olympia Fields, Illinois. He attended Saint Louis University for his undergraduate studies as both a Pre Medical and Presidential Scholar.
DR. RYAN
SWEARINGEN
Dr. Swearingen grew up in Wheaton, Illinois. He attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and graduated with honors, with a major in economics and a minor in chemistry. He was selected in the Phi Beta Kappa honor society.
DR. RAMESH
UNNI
Dr. Unni was born in Maywood, Illinois. He grew up in Crown Point, IN and attended St. Mary’s School and Andrean High School locally before pursuing a degree in economics at Northwestern University.
DR. TED
VELLOS
Dr. Vellos was born and raised in Orland Park, Illinois where he graduated from Carl Sandburg High school. He attended Loyola University Chicago for both undergraduate and medical schools obtaining degrees in Chemistry and Economics and earning Honors in research.
DR. BRUCE
YALOWITZ
The urethra is a tube-like organ the carries urine from the bladder out of the body. In females the urethra is short and located in front of the vagina. Normal urine flow is painless and does not have any visible blood. Occasionally benign lesions or masses may form that disrupt this process. These lesions can include urethral diverticulum, paraurethral cysts, urethral caruncle, and urethral prolapse. Many of these lesions can be treated with nonsurgical interventions, but severe cases may require surgery.
Patient with urethral masses can experience a variety of symptoms including:
Diagnosis of urethral masses is typically done by pelvic exam as well as a detailed medical history. Urine studies and a bladder ultrasound may also be done to help rule out other issues.
Imagining studies including an MRI or pelvic ultrasound may be done to help determine size of the mass and to ensure no other concerning features.
Your doctor may perform invasive testing such as cystoscopy where a tiny camera inside a long thin tube is inserted through the urethra to inspect the lining of the urethra.
Based on the type of urethral mass you are diagnosed with, there may be a variety of treatments your doctor may recommend.
Surgical excision is typically the treatment of choice. Occasionally patients who are not bothered by their symptoms may wait until they worsen prior to surgery.
These often shrink or drain with no intervention and if you have mild symptoms they can be watched. If a blockage, infection, or pain worsens then your doctor may open the cyst to drain it and ease your symptoms
If symptoms are mild these can be watched or treated with sitz baths and estrogen cream therapy. In severe cases surgical excision may be warranted
Most people with urethral prolapse are treated with observation or sitz baths and estrogen cream therapy. Rarely is surgical excision required for the prolapsed tissue.
A urethral diverticulum is a pocket or pouch that forms along the urethra. Occasionally this pocket can become infected or form stones. It is removed in a vaginal procedure done under general anesthesia. An incision is made in the vagina over the diverticulum and it is removed. After removal there is usually an opening in the urethra that must be closed in multiple layers to ensure a new opening does not form between the vagina and urethra. You typically will go home after surgery with a catheter in place for 1-2 weeks.
What to expect afterwards:
A urethral caruncle is a benign lesion seen on the female urethra. They typically occur in post-menopausal women. They are usually small and have no symptoms. In severe cases they may present with spotting of blood in the underwear or may be felt as a mass on the outside of the urethra. On exam they may appear as a red bump on the urethra. They are not typically painful, however can rarely thrombose and become painful.
They are usually diagnosed on pelvic exam. Treatment is generally conservative using sitz baths, vaginal estrogens and anti-inflammatories. In cases of large or painful lesions surgical excision may be required. This is typically done under a light sedation and will include a cystoscopy (scope in the bladder) and a foley catheter for a short period of time. Healing is usually quick although there is a small risk of stenosis or narrowing of the urethra.
The actual cause of this condition isn’t known. Some theories are a racial predisposition, poor muscle attachment of the urethral mucosa, not enough estrogen, and bad positioning of the urethra.
It is relatively uncommon, although it is diagnosed more often today due to better imaging techniques. These are most often seen in women between the ages of 30 and 60.
The cause isn’t always known. There may be a link to chronic bladder infections may weaken the urethral wall. Blockages in periurethral glands may also contribute.
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