Cystometric and urine flow studies on patients with calcified bladders and ureters

The urodynamic effects of calcification of the bladders and ureters secondary to schistosomiasis, have been studied in eight patients. Bladder calcification in this disease involves mainly the mucosa and submucosa. Calcification per se does not interfere with detrusor function. Ureteral calcification involves mainly the muscle layer and periureteral tissues leading to stasis of urine along such ureters. The layers involved may explain the disparity in the incidence of bilharzial related tumours in the bladders and ureters. The higher incidence of urinary calculi in patients with bilharziasis is probably due to stasis along involved ureters.