Emphysematous cystitis: rapid resolution of symptoms with hyperbaric treatment: a case report. Undersea & hyperbaric medicine : journal of the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society, Inc. [Undersea Hyperb Med] Journal article | | Title | Emphysematous cystitis: rapid resolution of symptoms with hyperbaric treatment: a case report. | | Author(s) | McCabe JB, Mc-Ginn Merritt W, Olsson D, Wright V, Camporesi EM | | Institution | Department of Emergency Medicine, SUNY Upstate Medical University, USA. | | Source | Undersea Hyperb Med 2004; 31(3):281-4. | | MeSH | Aged
Cystitis
Embolism, Air
Emphysema
Fatal Outcome
Female
Femoral Vein
Humans
Hyperbaric Oxygenation
Tomography, X-Ray Computed
| | Abstract | INTRODUCTION: Emphysematous cystitis is a rare disease that occurs most often in elderly diabetic patients characterized by gas formation in the bladder wall due to infection. The infecting organism is usually an aerobic bacterium, most commonly E. coli although anaerobic species have also been reported. We report the use of hyperbaric oxygen in a patient with emphysematous cystitis and air in the femoral vein in which the treatment rapidly resolved the symptoms and radiological abnormalities.
METHODS: A 65-year-old female presented to the Emergency Department with altered mental status, weakness, dark urine, dysuria and fever. She was febrile and lethargic. Abdominal exam showed suprapubic tenderness. Urinalysis was positive for white blood cells and bacteria. A CT scan of the abdomen demonstrated extensive air in the bladder wall with an air bubble in the femoral vein. Presumptive diagnosis was urinary tract infection, emphysematous cystitis, and sepsis. A question of air embolism was raised due to the intravascular gas. The patient was treated with hyperbaric oxygen (2.85 atm abs, 90 minutes) on two separate occasions in the first 12 hours. Within 24 hours, the patient's condition rapidly improved. Repeat CT scan 48 hours after admission showed near complete resolution of the emphysematous cystitis. The patient grew Klebsiella pneumonia from her urine.
CONCLUSIONS: Emphysematous cystitis is a rare condition caused by either aerobic or anaerobic bacteria and may be associated with both bladder wall and intravascular gas formation. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has not been previously reported as a treatment modality. The rapid improvement in our patient may indicate a role for hyperbaric oxygen in addition to IV hydration and antibiotics in this disease. | | Language | eng | | Pub Type(s) | Case Reports
Journal Article
| | PubMed ID | 15568415 |
|
|
| |
Advertise on this site.
| | |
|
