Purpose: Eosinophilic cystitis (EC) is a rare disease and remains a poorly understood. We explored the potential etiology, clinical and radiological presentation, diagnosis and therapeutic experience with EC.
Materials and methods: A pooled ten patients diagnosed with EC were retrospectively studied in our hospital to assess clinical presentation symptoms, radiological and pathological diagnosis, treatment and outcomes between 1998 and 2012.
Results: Nine patients presented with irritative urinary symptoms, one was symptomless. Allergic history were found in 2 patients, bladder mass was detected in all by radiologic tests or cystoscopy. Radiology revealed diffuse thickening of bladder wall in 7 cases among which one with bilateral hydroureteronephrosis, solitary tumor-like lesion in other 3. Elevated serum leukocytes were evident in 4 cases while elevated peripheral eosinophilias were observed in 3. One was asymptomatic and without specific therapy (group 1, 10%), transurethral resection of the lesions in one tumor-like case (10%). The other 8 cases were treated with corticosteroid and/or antihistaminics and 5 patients had excellent outcome with symptom resolution (62.5%).
Conclusions: EC usually follows a benign course, most treated with corticosteroids and resulted in relief of symptoms while some may relapse. Surgery is an available choice for drug refractory or localized EC.
Keywords: Eosinophilic cystitis; diagnosis; radiology; therapy.