[Inflammatory pseudomotor of the bladder. A diagnostic and therapeutic dilemma]

Inflammatory pseudotumor is a reactive benign lesion which can be very difficult to distinguish from some malignant bladder tumors like sarcomas or sarcomatoid carcinoma. The aim of this study was to present a new case of inflammatory pseudotumor and to review the present diagnostic and therapeutic criteria for this lesion. A 72-year-old female was admitted to the emergency room due to important hematuria. Transurethral resection of a bladder tumor located in the left lateral wall was performed. Pathologic studies were suggestive of inflammatory pseudotumor, but a mixoid leiomyosarcoma couldn t be completely discarded and a partial cystectomy with ipsilateral lymphadenectomy were carried out. Immunohistochemical studies were positive for vimentin, desmin, smooth muscle actin and cytoqueratins while epithelial membrane antigen and S-100 protein were negative. The patient is disease free after a year follow-up. When diagnosis is certain, complete transurethral resection is the treatment of choice. However, if there is no total pathologic confirmation, if it is a very wide lesion or if it is recurring after endoscopic resection, a partial cystectomy is suggested.