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Case Reports
. 2022 Jun 16:2022:6221499.
doi: 10.1155/2022/6221499. eCollection 2022.

Melanosis of the Bladder: Possible Pathogenetic Mechanisms

Justin E Dupey  1 , Sarah J Wood  2 , Richard Y Ball  1
Affiliations
Case Reports

Melanosis of the Bladder: Possible Pathogenetic Mechanisms

Justin E Dupey et al. Case Rep Urol. .

Abstract

Melanin accumulation within the bladder urothelium and/or macrophages in the lamina propria (melanosis of the bladder) is a very rare phenomenon of unknown pathogenesis. Its rarity argues for a complex, likely multifactorial, causation. We describe bladder melanosis developing after Botox therapy in an elderly woman with a history of overactive bladder, treated grade 2 uterovaginal prolapse, and episodes of urinary tract infection and speculate that one factor (probably of many) in its pathogenesis may be a derangement of local neurourothelial interactions.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest. The research was performed as part of the authors' employment by the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Colney Lane, Norwich, Norfolk, NR4 7UY.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Cystoscopic images showing patches of melanosis of the bladder.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Histopathological preparations of bladder mucosa showing melanosis. (a) H&E-stained section showing melanin in the urothelium. (b) Many of the pigmented urothelial cells are immunoreactive for S100 protein (red stain). (c) The melanin is shown (black) in a Masson Fontana preparation. (d) The Masson Fontana reaction is abolished by prior treatment of the section with a bleach.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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