Urinary Retention: Pathophysiology, Clinical Imaging Features, and Evidence-Based Management
Introduction Urinary retention is a urological condition characterized by the inability to voluntarily empty the bladder completely. It represents a significant cause of morbidity across diverse populations and remains a clinical entity of high relevance in both acute and chronic settings. With the aging global population and the rising prevalence of comorbid conditions such as diabetes mellitus and neurological disorders, urinary retention continues to be a crucial area of research and clinical focus. In this comprehensive column, we will review the pathophysiology, epidemiology, clinical presentation, imaging findings, differential diagnosis, diagnostic strategies, treatment modalities, and prognosis of urinary retention. The discussion will integrate state-of-the-art imaging features illustrated by clinical cases, including CT and ultrasound, provided in the case review file. 1. Pathophysiology of Urinary Retention Urinary retention occurs whe...