A Rare Case of Pneumoureter: Emphysematous Pyelitis versus Emphysematous Pyelonephritis

CT as a Diagnostic Tool for Emphysematous Pyelitis: A Case Report

Gas forming infections of the renal collecting system occurs because of organisms like Escherichia coli, Klebsiella, and Proteus. If the gas is restricted to the collecting system, without causing involvement of the cortex, it is called emphysematous pyelitis; whereas, invasion and penetration of the cortex imply a more gruesome diagnosis of emphysematous pyelonephritis. A 59-year-old male patient, previously diagnosed with a large right renal calculus and having multiple co-morbidities presented to the surgery department with right flank pain; Double J (DJ) stenting was done to relieve the pain from colic due to obstructive renal calculi; the patient subsequently discharged without any post-procedural complications. The patient came back a month later with similar complaints and multiple spikes of fever. Blood and urine culture revealed growth of Escherichia coli. The first line radiological investigations, like X-ray and ultrasonography, were suggestive of the presence of air in the pelvis, ureter, bladder; confirmation by CT revealed the presence of air in the collecting system, including the calyx. This air was seen invading focally into the anterior renal cortex. Also, the DJ stent had migrated into the proximal ureter.  The patient had developed emphysematous pyelitis predominantly, which had developed an overlapping component of pyelonephritis. The aetiology for air in the renal system was infection by Escherichia coli. CT proved to be diagnostic in differentiating both of them, as the presence of air entering the renal cortex was detected only on CT. Subsequently, prominent initiation of antibiotic therapy and replacement of DJ stent was carried out, following which the patient recovered fully within two weeks.

A Case Report on Distinguishing Emphysematous Pyelitis and Pyelonephritis on Point-of-care Ultrasound

Introduction

Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) in the emergency department (ED) is being performed with increasing frequency. The objective of this study was to demonstrate how utilization of POCUS can help the emergency physician recognize emphysematous pyelitis (EP) and emphysematous pyelonephritis (EPN).

Case Report

A 60-year-old female presented to the ED with normal vital signs and intermittent left-sided flank pain that radiated to her groin. She also had a history of obstructive nephrolithiasis. Within 20 minutes of arrival she became febrile (101.2°Fahrenheit), tachycardic (114 beats per minute), tachypneic (21 breaths per minute), and had a blood pressure of 114/82 millimeters mercury. POCUS was conducted revealing heterogeneous artifact with “dirty shadowing” within the renal pelvis, which was strongly suggestive of air. The emergency physician ordered a computed tomography (CT) to confirm the suspicion for EP and started the patient on broad-spectrum antibiotics. The CT showed a 1.3-centimeter calculus and hydronephrosis with foci of air. The patient received intravenous antibiotics and had an emergent nephrostomy tube placed. Urine cultures tested positive for pan-sensitive Escherichia Coli. Urology was consulted and a repeat CT was obtained to show correct drainage and decreased renal pelvis dilation.

Conclusion

Distinctly different forms of treatment are used for EP and EPN, despite both having similar pathophysiology. In EP, air can be seen in the renal pelvis on POCUS, as in this case study, which distinguishes it from EPN. In the case of our patient, the use of POCUS was useful to aid in rapid differentiation between EP and EPN.

Diabetic ketoacidosis complicated by emphysematous pyelonephritis: a case report and literature review

Background

The management of emphysematous pyelonephritis (EPN) includes conservative medical treatment, percutaneous drainage, and surgical resection of the involved kidney. EPN with diabetic ketoacidosis(DKA) is very rare, in which the clinical management of refusing surgical drainage is inexperienced.

Case presentation

A 34-year-old woman presented with abdominal pain, chills, fever, nausea, vomiting, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. Blood test results were consistent with diabetic ketoacidosis. Urinary computed tomography scan showed multiple stones in the right kidney and lower ureter, with right hydronephrosis. Blood culture demonstrated Escherichia coli bacteremia, and EPN was diagnosed. Considering the need for a second percutaneous nephrolithotomy, the patient refused percutaneous drainage. After continuous intravenous infusion of small doses of insulin and antibiotic treatment, the ketoacidosis resolved. The patient’s temperature returned to normal and abdominal pain was alleviated, and liver and kidney functions were also back to normal. After hospital discharge, the patient underwent two percutaneous nephrolithotomy in the department of urology.

Conclusions

EPN with diabetic ketoacidosis should be diagnosed as soon as possible. For patients with Class 1 and Class 2 EPN with diabetic ketoacidosis and urinary tract obstruction, if surgical drainage is refused, it is particularly important to rapidly correct diabetic ketoacidosis and intravenous use of sensitive antibiotics, so as to create conditions for follow-up percutaneous nephrolithotomy.