Christmas tree bladder

Case contributed by Dr Ian Bickle ◉

Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Young adult with bladder issues from childhood

Patient Data

Age: 19

Gender: Male

From the case: Christmas tree bladder

Modality: Fluoroscopy

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Elongated urinary bladder with a conical shape towards the dome of the bladder like a tree. The bladder wall hypertrophy gives rise to the irregular outline.

From the case: Christmas tree bladder

Modality: Photo

Ilustration of a Christmas tree bladder ( courtesy of Matt Skalski )

Case Discussion

Neurogenic bladder, typically occurs in those with sacral abnormalities at birth. The appearances has been described as a Christmas tree of pine cone bladder. The shape of the bladder is highly abnormality with an elongated appearance, with the dome like the top of a Christmas tree. The associated bladder wall hypertrophy gives an outline, which mimics the decorations that adorn a Christmas tree.