[Secondary amyloidosis of the bladder and massive hematuria].

OBJECTIVE

To report four additional cases of secondary amyloidosis of the bladder, an extremely rare condition, as shown by the cases reported in the literature.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Four clinical cases are reported, all of them occurring as hematuria, which was massive and fulminant and resulted in death in three patients.

RESULTS

Secondary amyloidosis of the bladder is of the AA type, which is more common in females and mainly secondary to rheumatoid arthritis, but also to ankylosing spondylitis and long-standing chronic inflammatory conditions. Hematuria is the main and virtually only symptom. A pathological and immunohistochemical study confirmed diagnosis. All three patients who experienced massive, fatal hematuria had an intercurrent condition requiring urethral catheterization, which was the triggering factor.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite its rarity, as shown by the few cases reported, secondary amyloidosis of the bladder should be considered in patients already diagnosed with systemic amyloidosis and/or the conditions reported who require simple urethral catheterization.