Suprapubic Cartilaginous Cyst

A 75-year-old male patient presented to our urology department due to unintentional weight loss (10 kg/2 months). Previously performed diagnostic imaging (CT) had shown a pelvic mass with tiny intraluminal gas inclusions. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a thin-walled cyst with smooth borders and contrast-enhancing wall (arrowhead) starting from the degeneratively altered symphysis (arrow) and, in the T2 sequence, an inhomogeneous internal structure (degenerated interpubic disc, asterisk). Taking into consideration all previous imaging findings, the diagnosis of suprapubic cartilaginous cyst—a rare entity that usually occurs in postmenopausal multiparous women—was made. In male patients, only a few such cases have been reported in the literature. From a clinical perspective, difficulty urinating, pain, and dyspareunia may occur. Surgery is required only in the case of clinical symptoms. This was not the case with our patient, whose weight loss was caused by the adjustment of antidiabetic treatment.

Figure

MRI images

Dr. med. Stefanie Pausch, Dr. med. Daniel Schroth, Radiologische Abteilung, Theresienkrankenhaus Mannheim, [e-mail]

Conflict of interest statement: The authors state that no conflict of interest exists.

Translated from the original German by Christine Rye.

Cite this as: Pausch S, Schroth D: Suprapubic cartilaginous cyst. Dtsch Arztebl Int 2022; 119: 534. DOI: 10.3238/arztebl.m2022.0065