GIANT SIZED EXTRAVESICAL BLADDER LEIOMYOMA MIMICKING UTERINE CERVICAL LEIOMYOMA: A CASE REPORT WITH 8 YEARS’ POSTOPERATIVE FOLLOW-UP AND A REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

Abstract

The incidence of bladder leiomyoma is estimated at only 0.43% because most bladder tumors arise from the urothelium. Moreover, 30% of them are the extra-vesical type. The symptoms include urinary tract obstruction, bladder irritation, and dysuria, with the possibility of dyspareunia or hematuria depending on the size and location of the tumor. Bladder leiomyomas cannot be diagnosed solely by combining symptoms and imaging techniques. We present a rare case of giant sized extravesical-type bladder leiomyoma with a diameter of 15.5x14.5x14 cm, which was misdiagnosed as a uterine cervical leiomyoma. It caused unilateral ureteral distension without related symptoms. During the 8-year postoperative follow-up, the patient had two healthy full-term pregnancies and no recurrence was observed. We reviewed the literature of the most recent five years and discussed the characteristics of 22 bladder leiomyoma cases. Unlike the literature, the present case is unique due to the giant size of the bladder leiomyoma, its ureteral complications, and long follow-up period. Bladder leiomyomas are rare bladder tumors which should be borne in mind during the differential diagnosis of a pelvic mass. Surgical excision is the most useful procedure for diagnosis and treatment.