Fungal balls detected using ultrasonography in the urinary bladder of a dog

Vet Radiol Ultrasound. 2022 Mar;63(2):e1-e4. doi: 10.1111/vru.13034. Epub 2021 Oct 12.

Abstract

A 9-year-old dog was presented with hematuria and urinary incontinence. Ultrasonography revealed multiple mobile echogenic ball-shaped structures without distal acoustic shadowing within the lumen. A cystocentesis was performed and a urinalysis of the urine revealed fungus. Candida albicans was identified using an additional urine culture. The patient was finally diagnosed with fungal cystitis with mobile fungal balls and managed with Itraconazole. Follow-up ultrasonography demonstrated the resolution of cystitis without fungal balls. Our findings suggest that fungal balls should be considered as a differential diagnosis when echogenic mobile ball-shaped structures are identified in the urinary bladder of a diabetic or immunocompromised patient.

Keywords: canine; fungal cystitis; round ball; sonography.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Candidiasis* / diagnostic imaging
  • Candidiasis* / microbiology
  • Candidiasis* / veterinary
  • Cystitis* / diagnostic imaging
  • Cystitis* / veterinary
  • Dog Diseases* / diagnostic imaging
  • Dogs
  • Pelvis
  • Ultrasonography / veterinary
  • Urinary Bladder / diagnostic imaging