The surgical options for Hunner’s lesions: an update

Abstract

Hunner’s lesions, previously described as Hunner’s ulcers, are a component of bladder pain syndrome (BPS), a condition affecting the lower urinary tract, with symptoms of suprapubic pain related to bladder filling, and associated complaints of urgency and frequency. A diagnosis of BPS requires active exclusion of pathology such as constipation, endometriosis, urinary tract infection, bladder stones and pelvic cancer. Women are predisposed to the condition more than men, in a 4:1 ratio. Survey data indicates 2% of women in the USA suffer from BPS. BPS is both physically and emotionally debilitating. In this review, we look at the place of the Hunner’s lesion in BPS and focus on how a lesion might be treated using the available evidence.