A unique case of urinary bladder simple melanosis: a case report and review of the literature

Abstract

Melanosis refers to abnormal or excessive deposition of melanin pigment in the cells and/or tissue, which can be seen in any organ but commonly in skin and oral mucosa. Melanosis of the urinary bladder is an extremely rare benign condition and only a handful of cases been reported in the English literature before. In this article, we report a new case of urinary melanosis, describe the differential diagnostic features from pseudomelanosis and offer clues for correct diagnosis. We also provide comprehensive review of the literature on the subject.

A Case of Bladder Melanosis Associated with Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections

“…A wide range of associated urinary symptoms have been described in the reported cases [3-5, 9, 12, 14], including frank hematuria [9], urinary incontinence [3,14], and recurrent UTI [5], as was present in this case. These have ranged from mild to severe and debilitating to the degree that cystoprostatectomy and neobladder formation has been carried out [4].…”

Lipofuscin pigmentation (so called “melanosis”) of the bladder

“…Through a thorough review of the literature we identified 30 cases of “melanosis” of the bladder, occurring in 17 men and 13 women, aged 43 to 86 (mean 65) years. The patients presented with lower urinary tract symptoms, gross hematuria or flank pain, and showed punctate, patchy or diffuse brown‐black discoloration of the bladder mucosa on cystoscopy.…”

“…The urine cytologic findings in previously reported cases were poorly documented; they were not mentioned at all in 15 cases, 10,12,15,17,[20][21][22]29,30,34 were reported as "negative" or "unremarkable" in eight cases, 14,16,18,19,24,26,32,33 and "atypical" in a single case. 31 In the remaining five cases, the cells containing pigment were seen.…”

Untitled

“…Patient's past medical history is positive for recurrent urinary tract infections and two caesarean sections. literature to date [3][4][5][6]. Patients presented with different urinary tract symptoms such as haematuria, dysuria, incontinence and urinary tract infections [3].…”