CT imaging of the unusually shaped bladder

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Medical Imaging
• Urology

Background:

• Accurate assessment of pelvic masses on computed tomography (CT) requires clear visualization of the urinary bladder.
• The relationship between pelvic masses and the urinary bladder is crucial for diagnosis and treatment planning.

Observation:

• Delayed opacification of the urinary bladder during CT contrast studies has been observed.
• This phenomenon can occur in patients with normal renal function due to delayed contrast transit or rapid imaging acquisition.

Findings:

• Unopacified bladders on initial CT scans can lead to diagnostic challenges when evaluating cystic pelvic masses.
• Two illustrative cases highlight the potential for diagnostic dilemmas arising from delayed bladder opacification.

Implications:

• Radiologists should be aware of potential delays in bladder opacification following intravenous contrast administration.
• Obtaining delayed pelvic scans or postvoid films can mitigate diagnostic difficulties and improve the evaluation of pelvic masses.