Particulate matter in urinary bladder

Asymptomatic male patient. Urinary bladder shows moderate amount of particulate matter, freely floating in it.

The kidneys appears normal. Bladder walls are normal. 

Final diagnosis: asymptomatic patient with urinary bladder particles. Most likely cause, dehydration. Insufficient intake of fluids. 

Urinary crystals: are one of the commonest causes of particulate matter in urine. 

Urinary crystals can sometimes be seen on ultrasound imaging of the urinary bladder. These crystals can appear as small, echogenic particles that move freely within the urine. They are often associated with urinary tract infections (UTIs), but they can also be seen in people without UTIs.

The exact cause of urinary crystals: is not always known, but they are thought to be caused by a combination of factors, including:

* Dehydration: most likely in this case. This is the commonest cause in asymptomatic patients. 

* High levels of certain minerals in the urine, such as calcium, oxalate, and uric acid

* Certain medications, such as indinavir (Crixivan)

* Medical conditions, such as gout and cystinuria

Further tests:

In this case, a urinalysis to check for a UTI is advised.  Also recommended other tests, such as a urine culture, to rule out other possible causes of the crystals.

In most cases, urinary crystals are not a cause for concern. However, if they are associated with a UTI, they can increase the risk of kidney stones. In this case, it may be recommended to increase fluid intake and make changes to diet to help prevent the formation of kidney stones.

Here are some additional details about urinary crystals and ultrasound imaging:

* The type of crystals that are seen on ultrasound can vary depending on the underlying cause. For example, calcium oxalate crystals are the most common type of crystal seen in people with UTIs.

* The size of the crystals can also vary. Small crystals are more likely to be seen on ultrasound than large crystals.

* The location of the crystals can also vary. Crystals that are located in the bladder wall are more likely to be associated with a UTI than crystals that are located in the urine itself.

More details are below:

• Ultrasound findings: Particulate matter in the urinary bladder appears as mobile, echogenic (bright) foci on ultrasound. The particles can vary in size and shape, and they may be single or multiple. They often settle in the dependent portion of the bladder, and they may move with changes in position.
• Causes: There are many possible causes of urinary bladder particulate matter, including:
  • Urinary tract infection (UTI): UTI is the most common cause of particulate matter in the bladder. The bacteria in a UTI can break down red blood cells, which can form clumps that appear as particulate matter on ultrasound.
  • Hematuria: Hematuria, or blood in the urine, can also cause particulate matter in the bladder. The blood cells can clump together and appear as echogenic foci on ultrasound.
  • Inflammation: Inflammation of the bladder, such as cystitis, can also cause particulate matter in the bladder. The inflammation can cause cells and debris to shed into the urine, which can appear as particulate matter on ultrasound.
  • Drugs: Some medications, such as indinavir and pentamidine, can precipitate out of the urine and form particulate matter in the bladder.
  • Malignancy: In rare cases, particulate matter in the bladder can be a sign of malignancy. However, this is usually accompanied by other symptoms, such as pain, hematuria, and urinary frequency.
• Differential diagnoses: The differential diagnoses for urinary bladder particulate matter include:
  • Urinary tract infection (UTI): As mentioned above, UTI is the most common cause of particulate matter in the bladder. Other symptoms of UTI, such as pain, fever, and urgency, may be present.
  • Hematuria: Hematuria, or blood in the urine, can also cause particulate matter in the bladder. Other symptoms of hematuria, such as pain, urgency, and clots in the urine, may be present.
  • Inflammation: Inflammation of the bladder, such as cystitis, can also cause particulate matter in the bladder. Other symptoms of cystitis, such as pain, urgency, and frequency, may be present.
  • Drugs: Some medications, such as indinavir and pentamidine, can precipitate out of the urine and form particulate matter in the bladder. Other symptoms of drug-induced cystitis, such as pain, urgency, and frequency, may be present.
  • Malignancy: In rare cases, particulate matter in the bladder can be a sign of malignancy. However, this is usually accompanied by other symptoms, such as pain, hematuria, and urinary frequency.
• Management: The management of urinary bladder particulate matter depends on the underlying cause. If the particulate matter is due to a UTI, then antibiotics will be prescribed. If the particulate matter is due to hematuria, then the underlying cause of the hematuria will need to be addressed. If the particulate matter is due to inflammation, then anti-inflammatory medications may be prescribed. If the particulate matter is due to drugs, then the medication may need to be changed. If the particulate matter is due to malignancy, then further testing, such as cystoscopy, may be necessary.

In asymptomatic patients, the management of urinary bladder particulate matter is usually conservative. The patient may be monitored with repeat ultrasounds to see if the particulate matter resolves. If the particulate matter does not resolve, then further testing may be necessary to determine the underlying cause.

For more on this topic visit:

Urinary bladder ultrasound