Varices may affect the urinary bladder but these only rarely cause significant bleeding.
Patient selection: portal hypertension
The primary risk factor is previous intra-abdominal surgery that disrupts the usual collateral blood vessels or creates a new collateral.
Imaging studies that can be used to monitor the patient at greater risk for bleeding:
(1) Color Doppler ultrasonography (CDUS)
(2) CT scan
Cystoscopy can identify larger blood vessels but trauma to the vessels should be avoided.
Bleeding from vesical varices can be significant.
Insertion of a urinary catheter should be avoided or done with caution, depending on the size and location of the varices.
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Specialty: Gastroenterology
