There are two adrenal glands in the body, one on top of each kidney. The adrenal glands make hormones that regulate the body’s metabolism, response to stress, and salt and water balance. Adrenal masses are growths inside these glands. In some individuals with bilateral findings (in both adrenal glands and not just one), the mass in one adrenal gland may be hormone-producing (functional) while the other is not. In addition, adrenal hypofunction (a deficiency of one or more hormones produced) may occur with bilateral adrenal masses.

There are several possible causes of bladder wall calcification including cystitis (inflammation of the bladder), radiation to the area, schistosomiasis (a disease caused by parasitic worms that live in infested water located in tropical and subtropical regions), tuberculosis, and neoplasia (cancerous or non-cancerous growth). A diagnosis can usually be obtained from a combination of history, clinical examination, appropriate laboratory studies, and imaging of the bladder calcification and remaining urinary tract.

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 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).

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.

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).

The gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ on the right side of the abdomen under the liver. It holds a digestive fluid called bile that is released into the small intestine to help break down fats and nutrients. The gallbladder is divided into 3 parts - the neck, body, and fundus. Variations in shape of the gallbladder are common. One such variation is a biliary fold in the body of the gallbladder. It is usually asymptomatic (does not cause symptoms).

Biliary cystadenomas are rare, slow growing, benign (non-cancerous) liver lesions. Biliary cystadenomas may be asymptomatic (do not cause symptoms) or may cause symptoms of pain and/or a palpable lump in the right upper abdomen, abdominal swelling and/or distention, epigastric fullness, and nausea.

There are several possible causes of bladder wall calcification including cystitis (inflammation of the bladder), radiation to the area, schistosomiasis (a disease caused by parasitic worms that live in infested water located in tropical and subtropical regions), tuberculosis, and neoplasia (cancerous or non-cancerous growth). A diagnosis can usually be obtained from a combination of history, clinical examination, appropriate laboratory studies, and imaging of the bladder calcification and remaining urinary tract.

A bladder diverticulum forms when some of the bladder lining pokes through a weak part in the bladder wall. A bladder diverticulum can either be congenital (from birth) or acquired (present later in life). Acquired bladder diverticula (when there is typically more than 1 diverticulum present) are most often caused by a blockage in the bladder outlet (such as from a swollen prostate or scars in the urethra [the tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body]), the bladder not working well due to nerve injury or, rarely, from prior bladder surgery. Acquired diverticula are most often seen in older men, who tend to get bladder outlet blocks.