Primary vesical actinomycosis with changes of cystitis cystica presenting as bladder mass

Abstract

Actinomycosis is a rare chronic granulomatous suppurative infection caused by Gram-positive bacteria. The occurrence of primary vesical actinomycosis is extremely rare and only a few cases have been reported. Pre-operative diagnosis of vesical actinomycosis is challenging as the clinical and radiological features usually point towards bladder malignancy. Therefore, in most cases, definitive diagnosis is usually made after histopathological examination of the involved tissue. A 60-year-old male presented with complaints of hematuria, burning micturition, irritative, and obstructive urinary symptoms for 15 days. USG revealed a large soft-tissue mass having a polypoidal intraluminal and extraluminal component and involving the right posterolateral urinary bladder wall. CT scan showed a large irregular soft-tissue mass with multiple cystic lesions involving the right lateral wall of the urinary bladder. Transurethral resection of bladder mass biopsy was performed and the histopathological examination showed bacterial colonies of Actinomyces with changes of cystitis cystica. The patient was treated with amoxicillin and potassium clavulanate for 3 months. Actinomycosis should be kept as a rare differential diagnosis in cases presenting as bladder mass. The diagnosis is most commonly made by histopathology and may need a repeat biopsy to arrive at the correct diagnosis. The patient should be treated by penicillin group of antibiotics for 2–3 months and followed up for years to detect any recurrence.