Case report: Ectopic corpus cavernosum presented as bladder tumor in a 3-year-old boy

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Urology
• Surgical Pathology
• Genitourinary Radiology

Background:

• Ectopic tissue in the bladder is uncommon in adults, with reported cases including prostate and colon tissue.
• These ectopic tissues typically manifest as bladder masses, leading to lower urinary tract symptoms.
• Ectopic corpus cavernosum in the bladder has not been previously reported, lacking established clinical characteristics and treatment guidelines.

Observation:

• A 3-year-old boy presented with urinary frequency and an elevated white blood cell count.
• Imaging revealed a well-defined bladder trigone lesion, suspected to be a benign tumor.
• Initial transurethral resection was unsuccessful; subsequent bladder incision and tumor resection successfully removed the mass.

Findings:

• Postoperative pathology confirmed the bladder mass to be ectopic corpus cavernosum, a first-time report in a pediatric case.
• The ectopic corpus cavernosum presented as a rapidly proliferating, large-sized benign tumor.
• No postoperative complications or recurrence were noted during follow-up.

Implications:

• This case highlights ectopic corpus cavernosum as a rare pediatric bladder tumor.
• Transurethral resection of bladder tumors may be challenging in children due to narrow urethral and limited instrumentation.
• Bladder incision and tumor resection represent a potentially preferred surgical approach for such cases.