SOME OBSERVATIONS ON THE PATHOLOGY OF CONGENITAL “IDIOPATHIC BLADDER‐NECK OBSTRUCTION”(MARION'S DISEASE) ¹

Abstract

SUMMARY A detailed micro‐anatomical study of five post‐mortem cases of congenital idiopathic bladder‐neck obstruction or congenital Marion's disease compared with suitable controls revealed enlargement, i.e. , elongation of prostatic tissue which extends from a submucous collar in the bladder neck along prostatic and membranous urethra to the level of the corpora spongiosa. As well as the increase in size, there is a qualitative change in the prostatic tissue with diminution of musculo‐glandular and preponderance of fibro‐elastic elements. The fibro‐elastosis is most marked below the level of the verumontanum to the level of the bulb. Autonomic ganglia and other anatomical structures appeared normal except for secondary muscular hypertrophy in the wall of the prostatic urethra and in the bladder wall. It is suggested that the elongated fibro‐elastic prostate offers obstruction to the urinary flow along the whole course of the posterior urethra.