Clinical and radiological character of eosinophilic cystitis

Eosinophilic cystitis (EC) is a rare disease and remains a poorly understood. We explored the potential etiology, clinical and radiological presentation, diagnosis and therapeutic experience with EC.

A pooled ten patients diagnosed with EC were retrospectively studied in our hospital to assess clinical presentation symptoms, radiological and pathological diagnosis, treatment and outcomes between 1998 and 2012.

Nine patients presented with irritative urinary symptoms, one was symptomless. Allergic history were found in 2 patients, bladder mass was detected in all by radiologic tests or cystoscopy. Radiology revealed diffuse thickening of bladder wall in 7 cases among which one with bilateral hydroureteronephrosis, solitary tumor-like lesion in other 3. Elevated serum leukocytes were evident in 4 cases while elevated peripheral eosinophilias were observed in 3. One was asymptomatic and without specific therapy (group 1, 10%), transurethral resection of the lesions in one tumor-like case (10%). The other 8 cases were treated with corticosteroid and/or antihistaminics and 5 patients had excellent outcome with symptom resolution (62.5%).

EC usually follows a benign course, most treated with corticosteroids and resulted in relief of symptoms while some may relapse. Surgery is an available choice for drug refractory or localized EC.