LEIOMYOMA OF THE BLADDER AND MRI

Unlike epithelial tumors, connective tissue tumors are uncommon, repre senting only 3% of all bladder tumors. Leiomyoma of the bladder is the most frequent non-epithelial benign tumor of the bladder. Magnetic re sonance imaging (MRI) is highly useful for diagnostic purposes and to determine the degree of extension. Only few reports of sonographic fin dings have been reported for leiomyoma of the bladder. The tumor usual ly develops within the bladder. Extravesicular formations have also be en reported as well as a few intramural localizations. The characteris tic feature is the absence of mucosal involvement. We analyzed the MRI findings in a case of leiomyoma of the bladder with intra and extrave sicular development, inflammatory reaction of the bladder wall and ute rine adherences in a woman with a past history of chronic cystitis: Th e role of diagnostic MRI is discussed.