The radiology of urinary tract abnormalities associated with hysterectomy

A review of urinary tract complications following hysterectomy shows that these are more likely to occur after radical hysterectomy than after hysterectomy for benign conditions. The role of associated radiotherapy has also been considered and the use of preoperative and postoperative radiological investigations of the urinary tract discussed. Ureteric complications include transient hydroureter and hydronephrosis, ureteric stricture, ureteric fistulae and ureteric severance. The bladder complications which may occur are vesicovaginal fistula, impingement from postoperative haematoma and abscess, the development of bladder calculi, urinary retention and prolaspe of the bladder base. Ureteric complications are often serious especially when there has been fistula or stricture formation, but other abnormalities may be transient. Serious bladder complications such as fistula formation are rare, but urinary retention and prolapse of the bladder base are not uncommon. The purpose and means of radiological investigation have been discussed, as well as some diagnostic pitfalls.