Bladder diverticulitis, also called bladder diverticulum, is a condition that causes pockets to form in the bladder wall. Many people may have these bags present and never know unless problems start to occur. Bladder diverticulum can be congenital or acquired.
Standard diverticulosis and bladder diverticulitis are similar in that they both have pouches. As one of the classifications of intestinal disorders, diverticulosis is limited to the intestines and does not include the bladder. The two conditions can be confused, but they are usually not related.
Congenital diverticulitis of the bladder is a condition that is present from birth and usually only results in a pouch being found. It means that the bladder wall is weak, and this weakness allows bulges to occur. The bumps are often discovered during childhood and do not need treatment if there are no problems.
Acquired bladder diverticulitis most often occurs as a result of some type of obstruction, such as scarring of the urethra or an enlarged prostate. It can also be the result of bladder dysfunction and bladder surgery. Multiple bursae are usually found in the bladder wall of a patient with this condition.
In many cases, bladder diverticulitis creates no symptoms to announce its presence. Other coincident problems often lead to a late diagnosis. Blood in the urine, difficulty urinating and infections are problems that can occur and lead to the discovery of the bags.
There are several tests that can be done to determine the presence of bladder diverticulitis. Initially, an ultrasound may be done as part of the early diagnosis plan, which can show basic abnormalities in the bladder. A cystogram is an x-ray test that involves filling the bladder with contrast medium. Cytoscopy tests use an endoscope inserted through the urethra and into the bladder. Urodynamics involves using pressure to check for blockages before doing other tests.
Bladder diverticulitis does not usually require treatment unless there are other problems as a result of the pouches. Treatments will help resolve problems, such as bladder stones, reflux, or tumors, and help control the condition through symptom management.
While immediate problems need to be treated, long-term treatment may also be necessary. Many patients who are experiencing ongoing symptoms will be treated with management medications that are used to help reduce the symptoms that are being experienced. For example, if recurrent infections occur, antibiotic therapy is often recommended. In some cases, surgery to remove the bursae can help prevent recurring problems.