The patient is a 47-year-old female. MRI revealed a well-defined submuscular mass in the bladder muscle layer. Bladder paraganglioma was suspected based on MRI findings. Endocrinologic Testing showed no significant elevation. 123I-MIBG scintigraphy of the mass showed a significant uptake, and we made diagnosis of bladder paraganglioma. The mass was nonrising and showed no color differentiation making its location undetectable. Using MRI with a ureteral stent and urethral catheter in place, we were able to determine its location. The possibility of damage to the ureteral or internal urethral opening was feared. We chose open bladder surgery, emphasizing ease of operation and visualization. Although a transient increase in blood pressure was observed during the operation, the mass was resected as a single mass from all layers of the bladder without damaging the ureteral or internal urethral opening. Histopathological examination revealed a paraganglioma.MRI (ureteral stent and urethral catheter placement) and open bladder surgery were useful for identifying the location and resecting this case of this otherwise undetectable bladder paraganglioma.
Keywords: bladder; open bladder surgery; paraganglioma.