The role of imaging in pediatric bladder augmentation

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Radiology
• Surgical Oncology

Background:

• Bladder augmentation, or augmentation cystoplasty, surgically enhances bladder capacity and compliance.
• Common procedures involve using enteric segments, leading to characteristic imaging appearances.
• Postoperative imaging is vital for evaluating these augmentations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review indications for bladder augmentation in children.
• To describe surgical techniques and normal postoperative imaging findings.
• To highlight imaging's role in diagnosing complications, particularly spontaneous bladder rupture.

Main Methods:

• Review of indications for bladder augmentation.
• Description of common surgical techniques (e.g., using enteric segments).
• Analysis of characteristic imaging appearances on various modalities and identification of complications.

Main Results:

• Bladder augmentation has distinct imaging features based on surgical technique.
• Spontaneous bladder perforation is a critical, potentially life-threatening complication.
• This complication can occur in both early and late postoperative periods.

Conclusions:

• Imaging plays a key role in the postoperative assessment of bladder augmentation.
• Radiologists must be aware of spontaneous bladder rupture as a severe complication.
• Understanding imaging findings aids in timely diagnosis and management of bladder augmentation complications.