DUPLICATED BLADDER

· Complete duplication of the urinary bladder and urethra is extremely uncommon and is more frequent in males (1).

· Bladder duplication is rare, with fewer than 50 cases reported.

· Duplication can be complete or partial, with complete duplication more common than incomplete duplication.

· In complete bladder duplication a septum divides the two bladders and orientation of the septum is variable. A sagittal septum is more common. Each bladder receives a ureter of its ipsilateral kidney and is drained by its own urethra lying side by side (2).

· Associated anomalies:

o occur with much greater frequency in complete bladder duplication.

o duplication of the penis, vagina, uterus, lumbar vertebrae, and hindgut (50%).

o fistulas may be present between the rectum, vagina, and urethra.

· With complete bladder duplication, 2 urethras will exist.

· With incomplete bladder duplication, the bladder will join distally into one common urethra.

REFERENCES

1. Woodhouse CRJ, Williams DE. Duplication of the lower urinary tract. Br J Urol 1979; 51: 481-487.

2. Abrahamson J. Double bladder and related anomalies: clinical and embryological aspects and a case report. Br J Urol 1961; 33: 195-214.

3. O'Sullivan GJ, Hunter J, Dubbins PA. Antenatal ultrasonic diagnosis of complete bladder duplication. Clin Radiol 1996; 51: 818-819.

4. Burns E, Cummins H, Hyman J: Incomplete reduplication of the bladder. Journal of Urology 1947; 57: 257.

5. Shokier AA, Ashamallah A, Abol-Enein H, et al: Incomplete bladder duplication. British Journal of Urology 1995; 75: 106

6. Tacciuoli M, Laurenti C, Racheli T: Double bladder with complete sagitatal septum: daignosis and treatment. British Journal of Urology 1975; 47: 645