Blærefortykkelse

Blærefortykkelse, also known as bladder wall thickening, refers to an increase in the thickness of the wall of the urinary bladder. This condition can be identified through various medical imaging techniques such as ultrasound, CT scans, or MRI.

Several factors can contribute to bladder wall thickening. Inflammation of the bladder, medically termed cystitis, is a common cause. This inflammation can be due to infections, irritants, or autoimmune conditions. In some cases, bladder outlet obstruction, such as from an enlarged prostate in men or strictures, can lead to the bladder muscle working harder, resulting in hypertrophy and thickening of the wall.

Neoplastic processes, including bladder cancer, can also manifest as bladder wall thickening. Certain systemic diseases, like interstitial cystitis or radiation cystitis following cancer treatment, may also cause changes in bladder wall thickness.

The symptoms associated with bladder wall thickening are often related to the underlying cause. These can include urinary frequency, urgency, pain during urination (dysuria), blood in the urine (hematuria), or difficulty emptying the bladder. Diagnosis typically involves a combination of medical history, physical examination, urine tests, and imaging studies. Treatment strategies are tailored to the specific cause and may involve antibiotics for infections, medications to relax the bladder, surgical intervention for obstructions, or therapies for inflammatory conditions.