Pneumaturia

Pneumaturiais the passage ofgasor "air" inurine.This may be seen or described as "bubbles in the urine".

Pneumaturia
Emphysematous cystitis in computertomography
Specialty	Urology

Causes

A common cause of pneumaturia iscolovesical fistula(communication between the colon and bladder). These may occur as a complication ofdiverticular disease.Pneumaturia can also happen if a urinary catheter was recently in the bladder.

Other key differentials:

• Crohn's disease
• Carcinomaof thecolonorbladder
• A gas-producingUTI(emphysematous cystitis:rare).
• Emphysematous pyelonephritis.

Malescuba diversutilizingcondom cathetersor female divers using a She-p external catching device for theirdry suitsare also susceptible to pneumaturia.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is made by patient history of passing air or a sputtering urine stream. CT scans may show air in the urinary bladder or bladder walls.