Ultrasonographic Appearance of Urinary Bladder Schistosomiasis in an Adolescent Male: A Case Report

Author's Information:

Shamaki AMB

Radiology Department, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto

Sule MB

Radiology Department, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto

Umar AU

Radiology Department, Gombe State University, Gombe

Gele IH

Radiology Department, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto.

Abdullahi A

Pediatric Department, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto.

Vol 05 No 10 (2025):Volume 05 Issue 10 October 2025

Page No.: 231-233

Abstract:

Schistosomiasis is a disease predominantly caused by Schistosoma haematobium particularly in endemic areas with ultrasound identified as a valuable tool in its identification. 

The features of urinary bladder schistosomiasis may include bladder wall thickening, polypoid lesions or masses, bladder wall calcification, reduced bladder capacity, bladder mass mimicking malignancy, hydroureter and hydronephrosis, echoes and debri with strands in urine.

Urinary bladder schistosomiasis is diagnosed by detecting the eggs of Schistosoma haematobium in urine parasitologically. The use of ultrasound is for assisted diagnosis, monitoring treatment and detecting complications.

This is an 18-year-old male patient who was referred from a health facility for abdominal and pelvic ultrasound on account of dysuria, increased frequency of micturition, passage bloody urine for a period of more than 1 year.

The ultrasound demonstrated a urinary bladder with circumferential wall thickening of about 12mm, circumferential wall calcification, and multiple areas of mucosal thickening with multiple mucosal pedunculated polys measuring between 10-12mm in length. Multiple mobile echoes were also noted in urine most likely hematoma. The kidneys and both ureters appeared normal. The patient had a laboratory report confirming the presence of eggs of Schistosoma hematobium in urine. The presence of the clinical history, laboratory report and ultrasonographic features prompted the diagnosis of urinary bladder schistosomiasis.

We present a case of urinary bladder schistosomiasis with classical ultrasonographic features in an 18-year-old male.

KeyWords:

Urinary Bladder, Ultrasound, Schistosomiasis, Bladder wall.

References:

  1. Ekwunife CA, Okafor FC, Nwaorgu OC. Ultrasonographic screening of urinary schistosomiasis infected patients in Agulu community, Anambra state, southeast Nigeria. Int Archv Med. 2009; 2:34-37.
  2. Cozzi D, Bertelli E, Savi E, Verna S, Zammarchi L, Tilli M, et al. Ultrasound findings in urogenital schistosomiasis: a pictorial essay. J Ultrasound. 2020; 23:195-205.
  3. World Health Organization: Ultrasound in Schistosomiasis: A workshop report on a practical guide to the standardized use of ultrasonography for the assessment of schistosomiasis related morbidity. TDR 2000.
  4. Bounfrate D, Gobbi F, Marchese V, Postiglione C, Badona-Monteiro G, Giorli G, et al. Extended screening for infectious diseases among newly-arrived asylum seekers from Africa and Asia, Verna province, Italy, April 2014-June 2015. Eurosurveill. 2018.
  5.  Khalaf I, Shokeir A, Shalaby M. Urologic complications of genitourinary schistosomiasis. World J Urol. 2012;30:31-38.
  6. Colley DG, Bustinduy AL, Secor WE, King CH. Human schistosomiasis. Lancet. 2014; 383:2253-2264.
  7. Chistulo L. Engels D, Montresor A, Savioli L. The global status of schistosomiasis and its control. Acta Trop. 2000;77;41-51.
  8. Lingscheid T, Kurth F, Clerinx J, Marocco S, Trevino B, Schunk M, et al. Schistosomiasis in European travelers and migrants: analysis of 14 years Tropnet Surveillance data. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2017; 97:567-574.
  9. Elmadani AE, Hamdoun AO, Monis A, Karamino NE, Gasmelseed N. Ultrasound findings in urinary shistosomiasis infection in school children in the Gezira State Central Sudan. Saudi J Kidney Dis Transpl. 2013; 24:162-167.
  10. Ojurongbe O, Sina-Agbaje OR, Busari A. Efficacy of praziquentel in the treatment of Schistosoma haematobium infection among school age children in rural communities of Abeokuta, Nigeria. Infect Dis Poverty. 2014; 3:30.