Laparoscopic partial cystectomy through extraperitoneal space for primary bladder schwannoma

BACKGROUND: Schwannomas can occur in the body where nerve sheaths are present. Genitourinary schwannomas are very rare, especially primary bladder schwannomas. They account for only 0.1% of bladder tumours. The literature reports that simple surgical resection has a good effect and prognosis. CASE PRESENTATION: A 39-year-old man had no significant improvement in symptoms due to frequent urination and urgency for 1 month following the treatment of prostatitis for 2 weeks. Ultrasound and computed tomography (CT) showed a mass in the left side wall of the bladder (size approximately 2.0 × 1.9 cm) that had clear boundaries and protruded outward from the bladder. After the extraperitoneal space was dilated with a balloon, a minimally invasive laparoscopic partial cystectomy was performed in this space to remove the tumour. The pathological diagnosis was bladder schwannoma. Immunohistochemical staining showed that it was strongly S100 protein positive. There was no recurrence after 2 years follow-up by cystoscopy and CT. CONCLUSIONS: Bladder schwannomas are clinically rare benign bladder lesions and no specific clinical manifestations. Laparoscopic partial cystectomy through the extraperitoneal space is a safe and feasible treatment option.