Urinary bladder

Radiologic investigation is a crucial source of clinical information in many disorders of the bladder. Although ultrasonography is commonly the initial diagnostic study in pediatric patients, both computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are mainly used to evaluate the bladder noninvasively. Urothelial carcinoma is overwhelmingly the most common bladder tumor, and cross-sectional imaging is a significant part of tumor staging and planning appropriate management. CT is also helpful in assessing the upper urinary tracts for synchronous or metachronous urothelial neoplasms in patients with bladder cancers. Nonurothelial neoplasms and mass-forming inflammatory disorders often mimic urothelial neoplasm, and clinical and pathologic correlation is indispensable. CT is the primary imaging technique used to evaluate patients with bladder trauma and patients who underwent cystectomy with a urinary diversion. Familiarity with the altered anatomy allows accurate interpretation of radiologic studies.