Trabeculated bladder: Symptoms, diagnosis, and outlook Health ConditionsHealth ConditionsAlzheimer's & DementiaAnxietyArthritisAsthma & AllergiesBreast CancerCancerCardiovascular HealthCOVID-19Dermatology & SkincareDiabetesEnvironment & SustainabilityExercise & FitnessEye HealthHeadache & MigraineHealth EquityHIV & AIDSHuman BiologyInflammatory Bowel DiseaseLeukemiaLGBTQIA+Men's HealthMental HealthMultiple Sclerosis (MS)NutritionParkinson's DiseasePsoriasisSexual HealthWomen's HealthDiscoverNewsLatest NewsOriginal SeriesMedical MythsHonest NutritionThrough My EyesNew Normal HealthPodcastsHow to understand chronic painWhat is behind vaccine hesitancy?The amazing story of hepatitis C, from discovery to cureNew directions in dementia researchCan psychedelics rewire a depressed, anxious brain?Why climate change matters for human healthToolsGeneral HealthDrugs A-ZHealth HubsHealth ToolsBMI Calculators and ChartsBlood Pressure Chart: Ranges and GuideBreast Cancer: Self-Examination GuideSleep CalculatorHealth ProductsAffordable Therapy OptionsBlood Pressure MonitorsDiabetic SuppliesFitness TrackersHome GymsGreen Cleaning ProductsHow to Shop for CBDQuizzesRA Myths vs FactsType 2 Diabetes: Managing Blood SugarAnkylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or FictionConnectAbout Medical News TodayWho We AreOur Editorial ProcessContent IntegrityConscious LanguageNewslettersSign UpFollow UsMedical News TodayHealth ConditionsDiscoverToolsConnectSubscribe Trabeculated bladder symptoms and treatmentMedically reviewed by Roger Bielinski, MD, Urology — By Zia Sherrell, MPH on July 12, 2022A trabeculated bladder is a bladder that has a thickened wall, making it harder for the bladder to contract. This can make it difficult to empty the bladder fully. The main cause of bladder trabeculation is repeated or chronic urethral obstructions. This is when the urethra, which transports urine out of the body, becomes blocked numerous times. A urethral obstruction can happen to people of any sex or age. It can even occur in fetuses before birth. This article looks at bladder trabeculation, the signs, symptoms, and causes. It also looks at how doctors diagnose and treat the condition. What is a trabeculated bladder Share on PinterestBSIP/Universal Images Group via Getty ImagesBladder trabeculation is a thickening of the bladder walls. The condition often occurs due to repeated or chronic obstructions in the urethra, which is the tube that drains urine from the bladder. If the urethra becomes blocked by something, urine cannot get past. This makes it harder for the bladder walls to contract and expel the urine. With repeated obstructions, the bladder walls thicken and lose their elasticity. Eventually, the muscle walls begin to lose their tone, and the bladder retains urine for longer than it should. Signs and symptoms of a trabeculated bladder A person with bladder trabeculation may experience the following symptoms:difficulty urinatingpain when urinatingfeeling as if the bladder is not fully emptyrecurring urinary tract infections (UTIs)kidney pain Causes of bladder trabeculation The main cause of bladder trabeculation is urethral blockage. Urethral blockages can occur for many reasons, including:congenital conditions or structural irregularities that result in a narrow or blocked urethrapolyps, which are benign growthsblood clots, which can put pressure on the bladder wallsfecal impaction, which is when large masses of hard stool accumulate in the digestive tractan enlarged prostate gland, which can press on the urethra and block the flow of urinetumors Other potential causes include:Nerve disorders: Neurogenic bladder is when the nerves that control the bladder do not operate as they should. People with neurogenic bladder may experience bladder trabeculation.Surgical treatment for enlarged prostate: Surgery for an enlarged prostate aims to remove excess prostate tissue. However, it can also cause blood clots to form in the bladder, preventing urination.Pelvic organ prolapse: This occurs when one or more organs in the pelvis move from the normal position and bulge into the vagina. The prolapse can cause lower urinary tract problems, which may affect urine flow.Hydronephrosis: This refers to swelling of the kidneys due to a buildup of urine. Females can develop this problem during pregnancy as the growing uterus puts pressure on the ureter. Hormonal changes can also contribute to hydronephrosis. Trabeculated bladder diagnosis A doctor may suspect bladder trabeculation if an individual has difficulty passing urine, a slow urine stream, or a frequent urge to urinate. They may use an individual’s symptoms, medical history, and further tests to make a diagnosis. These tests may include:physical examultrasound imagingurine testsblood testsa prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test, if malerectal examendoscopy to view the urethra, prostate, and bladdervoiding cystourethrography to show the size of the bladder and how well it drains Doctors may diagnose bladder trabeculation if an individual has a bladder wall that measures more than 3 mm when distended or 5 mm when it is not. People with trabeculated bladder can also develop bladder diverticula, or pouches in the bladder wall. Doctors may grade the severity of bladder trabeculation depending on the appearance of diverticula in radiology findings. Treatment for trabeculated bladder The treatment of bladder trabeculation depends on the underlying cause. For example, if someone has an enlarged prostate, doctors may recommend treatment or medication to reduce the size. If initial treatments do not help, then surgery may be an option. Likewise, doctors may recommend medications or other medical procedures to treat the obstruction if someone has a tumor, kidney stone, or another blockage in the urethra. If someone is pregnant and has a trabeculated bladder, they may not require treatment. Following the birth, the parent’s bladder may return to normal. In cases where doctors suspect a fetus has a urethral obstruction, they may be able to perform intrauterine surgery to correct it. Diagnosing and treating the underlying cause of bladder trabeculation is important to prevent further complications. Once the bladder wall muscles lose their elasticity, it can be difficult to reverse. Severe UTIs that occur due to blockages can also impact the kidneys. The success of any treatment may depend on early intervention and the underlying cause. Some people may experience a complete improvement in symptoms, while others may have some lingering symptoms. Questions to ask a doctor Here are some questions to ask a doctor during a consultation:What could be causing the bladder trabeculation?What treatment options are available?What are the benefits and risks of the treatments?Is there a chance the bladder will get better on its own?Will I have any long-term effects from this condition?What can I do to manage or reduce the symptoms?Will it be possible to reverse bladder trabeculation? Summary Bladder trabeculation is a condition where the muscles in the bladder wall become thicker. Blockages to the urethra typically cause the condition. Various conditions can cause a blockage, including an enlarged prostate, polyps, pregnancy, or pelvic organ prolapse. Doctors may use blood, urine, and imaging tests to diagnose the condition. They then base treatment on the underlying cause. If someone experiences urinary difficulty, they should seek their doctor’s advice. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential to prevent further damage to the bladder or kidneys. Last medically reviewed on July 12, 2022Uncategorized 6 sourcescollapsedMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.Ching-Chung, L., et al. (2013). Significance of bladder trabeculation in postmenopausal women with severe pelvic organ prolapse.https://journals.lww.com/menopausejournal/Abstract/2013/08000/Significance_of_bladder_trabeculation_in.5.aspxMalde, S., et al. (2019). Female bladder outlet obstruction: Common symptoms masking an uncommon cause. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28990728/Selby, B., et al. (2020). Development and validation of a bladder trabeculation grading system in pediatric neurogenic bladder.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32247670/Selby, B., et al. (2020). Development and validation of a bladder trabeculation grading system in pediatric neurogenic bladder.https://www.jpurol.com/article/S1477-5131(20)30060-7/pdfThüminger, J., et al. (2021). Detection of bladder trabeculation by voiding cystourethrography and sonography: observations in boys with posterior urethral valves.https://wjps.bmj.com/content/4/3/e000245Ugwu, A.C., et al. (2019). Sonographic reference values for bladder wall thickness, detrusor wall thickness, and bladder weight in apparently healthy adults in a Nigerian population.https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/8756479318799295FEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Roger Bielinski, MD, Urology — By Zia Sherrell, MPH on July 12, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? Their unusually large neuronsOmega-3 may provide a brain boost for people in midlifeSeasonal affective disorder (SAD): How to beat it this fall and winterCDC: Monkeypox in the US 'unlikely to be eliminated in the near future'Why are more women prone to Alzheimer's? New clues arise Related CoverageWhat to know about urinary retentionMedically reviewed by Shilpa Amin, M.D., CAQ, FAAFP Urinary retention can cause the need to urinate very frequently, the urge to urinate again straight after using the bathroom, or incontinence. Read…READ MOREWhat causes hydronephrosis?Medically reviewed by Stacy Sampson, D.O. Adults can get hydronephrosis due to underlying conditions. Newborns can get it from problems with the tubes between the kidneys and bladder. READ MORE