Imaging features of botryoid rhabdomyosarcoma of the urinary bladder: Case report and literature review

Abstract

Rhabdomyosarcomas are among the most common malignant tumors of the urinary bladder in childhood, with the genitourinary tract representing a frequent site of origin. The embryonal subtype, particularly the botryoid variant, commonly arises in the bladder and prostate and is associated with a better outcome compared to other histologic subtypes. This subtype also demonstrates a characteristic "bunch of grapes" appearance on imaging, which aids diagnosis. We report the case of a 2-year-old child with botryoid embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma treated with chemotherapy, with emphasis on the clinical presentation, imaging features, diagnosis approach, and therapeutic management, guided by the response monitoring using serial CT scans. A review of the literature is also conducted, with an emphasis on the available evidence regarding the role of imaging in the diagnosis and therapeutic monitoring of this tumor type.