Bladder paraganglioma – Case report on a rare but important differential

Abstract

A paraganglioma is a rare extra-adrenal neuroendocrine tumour that can occur at various sites in the body along the paravertebral axis or within organs. These are very rare tumours, accounting for <0.05% of bladder tumours. A bladder paraganglioma is even more rare, consisting <1% of all paragangliomas. Presentation is variable, given that only 1–3% secrete enough catecholamines to be clinically significant. Paragangliomas can mimic other bladder tumours during investigation for haematuria or lower urinary tract symptoms. The following case describes an incidental bladder paraganglioma discovered during routine flexible cystoscopy in a young female with non-visible haematuria and its subsequent management.