Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCommon CausesAssociated SymptomsDiagnosisTreatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Common Causes
Associated Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment
Bladder wall thickening (BWT) is not a specific condition but an indication of the potential presence of another condition such asbladder outlet obstruction,inflammation,interstitial cystitis, andcancer, among others. Talk to your healthcare provider if you notice changes in your urinary habits.
This article will discuss common causes of BWT, underlying causes in men and women, associated symptoms, how BWT is diagnosed, and treatment options.
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Common Causes of Bladder Wall Thickening
Widespread (diffuse) BWT is typically due to abnormalities such as bladder outlet obstruction (BOO), neurogenic bladder, or cystitis.
Inflammation Due to Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
Acute bacterial cystitis (bacterial UTI) may cause findings on acomputed tomography(CT) scan, including BTW. If the infection is severe, and the inflammation progresses chronically, there may be a reduction in bladder volume.
A 2020 study on mice found that with each recurring UTI, the bladder repaired its tissue more robustly and at a faster rate, which resulted in thicker bladder cell lining. This reduced bladder capacity and increased urination in the mice.
Noncancerous Tissue Growths
Classifications of benign bladder lesions include:
Mostnoncancerous (benign) bladder tumorsare uncommon. They may include:
Other rare types of noncancerous tumors that can be found in the bladder include:
Cancer
Bladder cancersare mainly classified as:
A database of 2,400 patients who underwent acystoscopy(a procedure that inserts a thin tube into the bladder to examine it) produced data that suggested:
Neurogenic Bladder
Neurogenic bladdermeans there are problems with the messages being sent and received between the bladder and the brain.
In addition to BWT, signs of neurogenic bladder may include:
Hemorrhagic Cystitis
Withhemorrhagic cystitis(HC), the lining of the bladder becomes inflamed and begins to bleed. It may cause symptoms such as:
Amyloidosis
Amyloidosis may be a primary condition or develop secondary to a different health condition.
Bladder Outlet Obstruction
BWT is often found withbladder outlet obstruction(BOO).
BOO is a blockage at the base of the bladder that reduces or stops the flow of urine into the urethra.
Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome
Interstitial cystitis(IC), also calledbladder painsyndrome, is inflammation or irritation of the bladder wall that can lead to scarring and stiffening of the bladder, reducing the amount of urine the bladder can control. It is a chronic condition that can have symptoms such as:
Focal BWT (thickening in a portion of the bladder) and diffuse BWT (thickening involving over half of the bladder) on CT could indicate chronic wall inflammation and fibrosis, which is commonly found with IC.
Eosinophilic Cystitis
It is associated with variable degrees of fibrosis and muscle necrosis (tissue death).
A Note on Gendered Language
Underlying Causes in Men and Women
Some conditions associated with BWT can affect men and women differently. These include:
Depending on the cause of the BWT, other symptoms may be present.
Fever
Fever may occur with UTIs. Fever, along with pain near the kidneys, and nausea/vomiting, can be an indication that it has progressed to a kidney infection causingpyelonephritis(inflammation of the renal pelvis).
UTIs that cause pain or fever can occur with other conditions, such as neurogenic bladder.
Pain When Urinating
Pain, stinging, or burning with urination can happen with UTIs, includingcystitis(an inflamed bladder due to a UTI).
Interstitial cystitis can cause pain in areas such as the pelvis, lower abdomen, urethra, or vagina. Sexual intercourse can also be painful.
Urgency or Difficulty Urinating
Interstitial cystitis can cause anurgent, frequent need to urinate (up to 60 times a day).
Other conditions that can cause urgency and/or frequency with urination include UTI and benign prostatic hyperplasia. Less commonly,bladder cancercan cause these symptoms.
Benign prostatic hyperplasia can also cause difficulty starting a urine stream, a weak or interrupted urine stream, and/orurinary retention.
Cloudy Urine or Blood in Urine
Conditions that may cause cloudy urine or blood in urine include:
Foul-Smelling Urine
Cystitis or UTI can cause an unusual or foul smell in urine.
Urine that has an unusual color or smell could also be a symptom of benign prostatic hyperplasia.
How Is Bladder Wall Thickening Diagnosed?
Diagnostic tools that may be used to determine BWT include:
Treatment Options
Treating BWT involves treating the underlying condition.
UTIs are usually treated with antibiotics and symptom relief (such as pain relievers).
Treatment for IC may include:
Treatment of neurogenic bladder may include:
Treatment for bladder cancerdepends on a number of factors, but may include:
There is no standard treatment for hemorrhagic cystitis, but treatment might include:
Treatment for amyloidosis may include:
Summary
Bladder wall thickening can happen as part of a number of conditions, such asUTI/cystitis, noncancerous tissue growths,bladder cancer, neurogenic bladder, hemorrhagic cystitis, interstitial cystits, eosinophilic cystitis, amyloidosis, bladder outlet obstruction, and benign prostatic hyperplasia.
Symptoms that may occur with BWT include urgent and/or frequent urination, painful urination, cloudy and/or foul smelling urine, blood in urine, difficulty urinating, and fever.
BWT is usually diagnosed using imaging tools such as ultrasound, CT scan, and MRI.
Treatment for BWT involves treating the underlying cause.
Talk to your healthcare provider if you notice any changes in your urine, urinary tract, or urinary habits.
27 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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