Traumatic injury of the bladder and urethra involves damage caused by an outside force.
Causes:
Types of bladder injuries include:
• Blunt trauma (such as a blow to the body)
• Penetrating wounds (such as bullet or stab wounds)
The amount of injury to the bladder depends on how full the bladder was at the time of injury and what caused the injury.
Include:
• Abdominal pain, lower
• Blood in the urine
• Bloody discharge
• Difficulty beginning to urinate or inability to empty the bladder
• Loss of fluids
• Painful urination
• Pelvic pain
• Severe bleeding
• Small, weak urine stream
Shock or internal bleeding may occur after a bladder injury. This is a medical emergency. Symptoms include:
• Decreased alertness, drowsiness, coma
• Increased heart rate
• Pale skin
• Sweating
• Skin that is cool to the touch
If there is no or little urine released, there may be an increased risk of urinary tract infections (UTI).
Include:
An exam of the genitals may show injury to the urethra.
An x-ray of the urethra using dye (retrograde urethrogram) should be done if the health care provider suspects an injury.
The exam may also show:
• Bladder injury or swollen (distended) bladder
• Other signs of pelvic injury, such as bruising over the penis, scrotum, and perineum
• Signs of hemorrhage or shock, including decreased blood pressure -- especially in cases of pelvic fracture
• Tenderness and bladder fullness when touched (caused by urine retention)
• Tender and unstable pelvic bones
• Urine in the abdominal cavity
A catheter (tube that drains urine from the body) may be inserted once an injury of the urethra has been ruled out. An x-ray of the bladder using dye to highlight any damage can then be done.
Consult Urologist at Aadil Hospital for better medical treatment
