Diagnostic Challenges in Pediatric Urology: A Case Report and Literature Review on Hourglass Bladder

Cureus. 2023 Oct 26;15(10):e47772. doi: 10.7759/cureus.47772. eCollection 2023 Oct.

Abstract

Hourglass bladder is a definition used to describe a particular configuration of the urinary bladder, divided into two compartments, upper and lower, communicating through a narrowed segment resembling an hourglass. It may be due to various conditions, such as bladder diverticula, bladder neck obstruction, neurogenic bladder, or other abnormalities. Congenital hourglass bladder is an extremely rare anomaly. To the best of our knowledge, only 24 cases have been reported. We present the case of a 2-year-old male, probably the youngest patient with congenital hourglass bladder ever recorded. We aim to increase knowledge about the incidence of this likely underdiagnosed condition and its management and stress the importance of long-term follow-up.

Keywords: bladder diverticulum; congenital urinary anomalies; hourglass bladder; scintigraphy; ultrasound.

Publication types

  • Case Reports