Sometimes the salts and minerals in the urine can crystalize and form bladder stones. Factors that increase the risk of developing bladder stones include inflammation of the bladder caused by infections, foreign material present within the bladder, kidney stones, and underlying conditions (e.g. prostate gland enlargement, neurogenic bladder) that affect the bladder's ability to hold, store or eliminate urine. Most bladder stones less than or equal to 5 mm in diameter pass out of the body spontaneously and asymptomatically (with no symptoms). If a bladder stone does get stuck or irritates the bladder wall, it can cause symptoms of lower abdominal pain, difficulty urinating or interrupted urine flow, bloody urine, and painful or frequent urination.
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 cyst is a sac-like pocket of tissue that contains fluid, air, or other substances. Bladder cysts are usually benign (non-cancerous) and do not require treatment, however, some cysts are associated with a higher risk of malignancy (cancer).
Perinephric stranding refers to the appearance of edema (a build-up of fluid) within the fat of the perirenal space (an anatomical space within the abdomen that contains the kidneys, renal vessels, renal collecting systems, adrenal glands and fat) on CT or MRI imaging. A small amount of perinephric stranding is considered normal as an individual ages, especially when it’s noted in equal amounts in both perirenal spaces. However, asymmetric or unilateral perinephric stranding is an important sign of renal inflammation (e.g. acute pyelonephritis) or of acute obstruction (e.g. the presence of kidney stones).
A bicornuate uterus is a type of uterine anomaly that is present from birth (congenital) in which the uterus is heart-shaped. Overall, congenital uterine anomalies occur in about 1.5% of females. In most cases, a bicornuate uterus is incidentally discovered (found in passing when looking for something else) when the pelvis is imaged.
