Abstract

Pneumaturia is the passage of gas or "air" in urine. This may be seen or described as "bubbles in the urine".

Causes

A common cause of pneumaturia is colovesical fistula (communication between the colon and bladder). These may occur as a complication of diverticular disease.

Other key differentials:

- Crohn's disease

- Carcinoma of the colon or bladder

- A gas-producing UTI (emphysematous cystitis: rare).

Male scuba divers utilizing condom catheters or female divers using a She-p external catching device for their dry suits are 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.