Distended urinary bladder

Case contributed by Ian Bickle
Diagnosis almost certain

Presentation

Cerebral palsy. Abdominal distension.

Patient Data

Age: 50 years
Gender: Female
x-ray

Generalized gaseous distension of the large and small bowel.  The gas filled bowel is displaced into the upper abdomen.

This is due to a pelvic 'mass'.

Severe scoliosis.

Bilateral dysplastic hips.    Prior left femur neck surgery.

Case Discussion

Pelvis mass extending into the mid abdomen displacing the bowel superiorly.

This could be a pathological mass such as an ovarian cyst or pelvis malignancy but is most commonly a distended urinary bladder.

This is particularly the case in the very elderly or those with neuromuscular or spinal disorders.

Catheterization is a simple way of relieving the discomfort and distension.

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