HISTOLOGICAL STUDIES ON NON-NEOPLASTIC LESIONS OF THE URINARY BLADDER EPITHELIUM

Second Report: The Influence of Indwelling Catheterization

Abstract

Histopathological changes of the bladder epithelium in 33 male and 2 female patients treated with indwelling catheterization was studied by mucosal biopsies. The duration of indwelling catheterization ranged from 1month to 9years, with an average of 2years and 5months. Dysplasia and hyperplasia were detected in 5 (14.3%) and 8 (22.9%) of 35 cases, respectively. Squamous metaplasia, columnar metaplasia, Brunn's nests and cystitis glandularis were seen in 5 (14.3%), 4 (11.4%), 13 (37.1%) and 3 (8.6%) of cases, respectively. Cuboidal metaplasia was found in only one case. Lymphocytic infiltration in the lamina propria was observed in all cases. Dysplasia and squamous metaplasia were not detected in patients with indwelling catheterization for less than 1year. Compared with patients free from catheters, dysplasia, hyperplasia and columnar metaplasia were more frequent in patients with catheterization. In male patients with catheterization, the incidence of squamous metaplasia was also high. Since some of these lesions are considered to be premalignant conditions, patients with long-term indwelling catheterization should be examined periodically by cytology and cystoscopy.