Eosinophilic cystitis presenting as urinary retention

To evaluate the incidence, etiology, diagnosis, therapy and results in patients with eosinophilic cystitis (EC), with special attention to patients with urinary retention as presenting symptom.

Between 1988 and 1999, 3 patients with EC were diagnosed. One patient presented with urinary retention, without other symptoms. All patients were evaluated for symptoms, urine culture, hematology including cell differentiation, blood chemistry, cystoscopy and intravenous urography. The international literature was reviewed for incidence, etiological factors, diagnostic procedures, therapies and outcome of EC presenting with urinary retention.

Two male patients presented with pain, frequency of micturition and nocturia. One female patient presented with urinary retention. One patient had an urinary tract infection. One patient showed eosinophilia of the peripheral blood. Intravenous urography revealed hydroureteronephrosis in 2 patients (1 unilateral and 1 bilateral). Cystoscopy showed tumor-like lesions in 2 patients. Therapy consisted of oral or intravesical corticosteroids or transurethral resection of the lesions. All patients were cured. A review of the literature revealed that 14 patients with EC (10%) presented with urinary retention; the majority (79%) being children and women. All patients returned to normal miction following therapy.

The clinical presentation of EC is varied. When the lesion is located at or near the bladder neck, it may present as urinary retention. In children and women with urinary retention, EC must be considered in the differential diagnosis. Corticosteroids are the mainstay of efficient therapy.