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Urinary Bladder - Edema

Image of edema in the urinary bladder from a female B6C3F1 mouse in a chronic study
A focal area of edema in the urinary bladder submucosa from a female B6C3F1 mouse in a chronic study.
Figure 1 of 2
Image of edema in the urinary bladder from a female F344/N rat in an acute study
Artifactual edema-like change (arrow) from inflation of the bladder with fixative, from a female F344/N rat in a 14-day study.
Figure 2 of 2
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comment:

Edema is usually seen with other lesions, particularly inflammation, and is typically noted as an amorphous, slightly eosinophilic fluid in the subepithelial connective tissue ( Figure 1image opens in a pop-up window ). Edema has to be differentiated from artifacts produced by inflation of the urinary bladder with fixative solutions ( Figure 2image opens in a pop-up window ).

recommendation:

Since some edema is seen with inflammatory and/or vascular lesions, edema should not be diagnosed unless it is a major component of the lesion.

references:

Hard GC, Alden CL, Bruner RH, Frith CH, Lewis RM, Owen RA, Krieg K, Durchfeld-Meyer B. 1999. Non-proliferative lesions of the kidney and lower urinary tract in rats. In: Guides for Toxicologic Pathology. STP/ARP/AFIP, Washington, DC, 1-32.