Hydroureter refers to dilation of the ureter(s), the narrow tube urine travels down from the kidneys into the bladder. It is most often caused by obstruction of urine outflow due to blockage of the ureter(s) by calculi (stones), chronic inflammation, neoplasia (cancerous or noncancerous growth), or accidental ligation during surgery.Symptoms are variable, but may include pain, either in the side and/or back (known as flank pain), nausea, and/or vomiting. Treatment is based on the cause.
The median lobe is located between the ejaculatory ducts and the urethra (the tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body) in the central zone of the prostate. Hypertrophy refers to an increase in the size and number of cells in this part of the prostate. When there is overgrowth of the prostatic median lobe into the bladder, it can cause bladder outlet obstruction and related storage and voiding symptoms. While minimal hypertrophic changes may not cause symptoms, progression of these changes (also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH) may cause lower urinary tract symptoms including needing to urinate often (especially at night), difficulty starting to urinate and having a weak urine stream.
Bladder polyps are abnormal growths in the bladder lining that may be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Risk factors for bladder polyps include cigarette smoking and gender, with men being more commonly affected. Usually bladder polyps do not cause symptoms, but when symptoms do occur, they may include a constant or urgent need to urinate, pain while urinating, blood in the urine and pain in the abdomen and/or pelvis.
Trabeculation of the bladder describes when the bladder walls have become thicker and less elastic (less stretchy). This occurs when the urethra (the tube the urine passes through to exit the body from the bladder) is repeatedly blocked (obstructed). With the loss of elasticity, the bladder does not fill and empty as well, causing urinary symptoms such as a slow urine stream, frequent urge to urinate and/or the sensation of incomplete emptying of the bladder.
A urachal cyst is a sac-like pocket of tissue that develops in the urachus (a structure that connects the umbilical cord to the bladder during fetal development). Although it normally disappears prior to birth, part of the urachus may remain in some individuals. Urachal cysts are often not associated with any signs or symptoms unless there are complications such as infection. In these cases, symptoms may include abdominal pain, fever, pain with urination and/or blood in the urine.
A bladder wall lipoma is a non-cancerous growth (i.e. tumor) of fat cells arising from the wall of the urinary bladder. Although lipomas are the most common non-cancerous masses found in the body, bladder tissue involvement is rare. This condition is typically found in passing (incidentally) on bladder imaging of individuals who are experiencing lower urinary tract symptoms (e.g. urgency, frequency, painful urination or incontinence) and/or the presence of blood in the urine. However, some individuals with a bladder wall lipoma may be asymptomatic (do not have symptoms). Although bladder wall lipomas do not carry any malignant (cancerous) potential, it must be differentiated from lesions that are potentially cancerous (e.g. liposarcoma).
