Current diagnosis and management of primary isolated bladder diverticula in children

Primary isolated bladder diverticula (PIBD) that are not correlated with the UVJ comprise approximately 10% of all primary bladder diverticulas (PBDs). No guidelines have been established for PIBD repair. It is unknown if infections or voiding dysfunction are impacted by the size of diverticula.

We evaluated the most effective approach to treating PIBD with respect to diverticula size and objective clinical and urodynamic findings.

We retrospectively evaluated age, sex, chief complaint, UTI diverticula size, clinical and urodynamic findings, and management of 14 consecutive patients diagnosed with PIBD from 1995 to 2013. Urodynamic studies were performed in all PIBD cases, Post micturition residue (PMR), maximum bladder capacity (MBC), voiding detrusor pressure (Pdet), and pressure flow (Qmax) were all measured. Among patients who underwent surgical repair, resected diverticula wall specimens were sent for pathological evaluation.

Twelve boys and two girls ranging in age from 2 to 15 years (mean, 6.7 years) were included in this study. The mean follow-up duration was 54.2 months (range, 6-120 months). All diverticula were single, and most occurred in posterolateral locations (Figure). In eight patients with PIBD of <3 cm (range, 15-24 mm; mean, 18 mm), MBC, P det, and Qmax were within reference ranges. None of the patients had PMR, and most developed only one urinary tract infection (UTI) before admission. All patients underwent close follow-up without surgical intervention. Six patients had diverticula of >3 cm (range, 32-72 mm; median, 48 mm). Their MBC was lower (72% of predicted value) than the reference range. The P det was significantly higher than that of patients with diverticula of <3 cm and the Q max was lower in two patients. Four patients had PMR, and all patients developed at least three UTIs before admission to the hospital. This group of patients was treated surgically. All operated children reported improvement after in control urodynamic study over follow-up periods.

The diverticula layer lacks the contractility that allows the diverticulum to appropriately void into the bladder. This accounts for the urinary retention and dysfunctional voiding. The patients with diverticula larger than 3 cm had PMR. Members of this group had more than three UTIs. In our series, diverticula of >3 cm exhibited an MBC that was lower than the predicted values. The detrusor contracts, but the urine enters the diverticula more easily than it enters the bladder neck. This could inhibit bladder enlargement and may explain the lower MBC in this group. This group also had higher Pdet, and their q max was low. Thus, probably simulating detrusor much higher pressure but undercontractility due to diverticulum. Another possible explanation could be that large PIBD creates a functional obstruction over the bladder neck during voiding.

PIBD of >3 cm is characterized by UTI development, functional lower urinary tract symptoms, and disorders of bladder storage or emptying. Surgical repair of these diverticula is associated with improvement of voiding dysfunction and elimination of UTIs.