Is bladder paraganglioma a differential diagnosis of bladder lithiasis ? : Case report and review of the literature

Abstract Paraganglioma or extra-adrenal pheochromocytoma is a rare entity, particularly in its bladder location. When functional, paragangliomas are easily recognised by their clinical presentation. The danger comes when it is non-functional or unusual, where serious intraoperative complications may occur. The authors report an atypical and silent presentation of bladder paraganglioma in a 39-year-old female patient who had undergone a left surrenalectomy for pheochromocytoma 16 years previously and consulted for lower urinary tract symptoms related to bladder lithiasis. Cystoscopy revealed a calcified bladder polyp. Complete trans-urethral resection of the tumour was performed without intraoperative complications. Histological analysis of the resection shavings concluded that the tumour was a bladder pheochromocytoma. Post-operative management was simple.