Bladder cancer may be a cause, but interstitial cystitis is an unusual differential diagnosis

EDITOR,—Linda Cardozo is right to draw attention to the problem of postmenopausal cystitis and the use of topical oestrogens in its treatment.1 Topical oestrogens are almost certainly underused in this condition. From the urological perspective, however, certain important points should be emphasised.

Firstly, ultrasonography is probably preferable to intravenous urography for imaging. Ultrasonography will quantify residual urine and detects renal and bladder calculi better than plain radiography. Ureteric stones (which ultrasonography will probably …