[Eosinophilic cystitis in children:a report of six cases and review of literature].

Objective: Eosinophilic cystitis is a very rare tumor-like inflammatory disease especially in children. It can involve any portion of the bladder and interfere with its function. Here we present 6 pediatric cases and review the literature.

Methods: Six children, with mean age of 8.3 years, were referred to our clinic. Their major complaints included voiding urgency, frequency, dysuria, enuresis, intermittent hematuria and abdominal pain. Ultrasound, CT scan and voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG) showed diffuse thickening of bladder wall and a filling-defect lesion. They all suggested the possibility of bladder tumor. The final diagnosis of eosinophilic cystitis was made by cystoscopic tissue biopsy or open surgery. Patients underwent bladder autoaugmentation, mass resection or mere oral administration of corticosteroid and antibiotics respectively.

Results: 5 among 6 patients were followed up for 5 - 28 months. Their voiding complaints and image changes gradually disappeared. Up to now, there is no relapse.

Conclusions: The clinical presentation of eosinophilic cystitis includes irritative voiding symptoms, hematuria and abdominal pain. Tumor-like changes could be found in the imagination examinations. A biopsy is mandatory to establish the diagnosis. Treatment in general varies from the removal of the antigenic stimulus, if identifiable, to administration of corticosteroid and antibiotics. When patients fail to respond to the medication treatment, the opening operation could be required.