Traumatic injury of the bladder and urethra

Alternative names:

bladder injury; bruised bladder; injury of the bladder and urethra; urethral injury

Symptoms:

• difficulty beginning to urinate
• small, weak urine stream
• blood in the urine
• abdominal pain, lower
• pelvic pain
• painful urination

Emergency symptoms indicating shock or hemorrhage:

• decreased alertness
  • drowsiness, lethargy
  • coma

• increased heart rate
• pale skin
• sweating
• skin cool to touch

Note: Symptoms follow a history of injury.

Signs and tests:

Examination of the genitals may indicate injury to the urethra. Palpation (slight pressure) over the bladder may show tenderness. Palpation may indicate bladder fullness, caused by retention of urine. Examination of the abdomen and/or rectum may indicate bladder injury or may show distended bladder. There may be signs of hemorrhage or shock, including decreased blood pressure.

Cystoscopy (examination of the bladder using a scope inserted through the urethra) may allow the health care provider to see the area of injury.

A urinalysis may show blood in the urine.