Christmas tree bladder

Case contributed by Ian Bickle
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Bladder issues from childhood.

Patient Data

Age: 20 years
Gender: Male
Fluoroscopy

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

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 have 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 top of a Christmas tree. The associated bladder wall hypertrophy gives an outline, which mimics the decorations that adorn a Christmas tree.

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