Learning objectives
Review the major urinary urgencies with emphasis on inflammatory conditions,
infectious,
vascular,
traumatic and postoperative lesions.
We will review some special features of urological emergencies in pediatric patients and pregnant women.
Background
Urinary diseases are very common in emergency departments,
but can mimic other diseases (appendicitis,
diverticulitis,
cholecystitis).
The radiologists use imaging techniques to enable screening of urinary origin.
Renal ultrasound is the test of choice to exclude urinary tract obstruction and appropriate in patients for whom exposure to radiation or contrast is undesirable (renal insufficiency,
children,
pregnant women)
We summarize the use of radiologic imaging in urinary tract infections,
especially in complicated cases with emphysematous pyelonephritis orrenal abscess.
In ureteral colic,
the diagnostic signs are discussed...
Imaging findings OR Procedure details
1.
INFECTIOUS DISEASE
Urinary tract infections are the most common urologic diseases.
In the United States of America,
involving seven million doctor visits and one million visits to emergency departments.
It is the main differential diagnosis on ureteral colic.
1.1.
Acute pyelonephritis (APN)
In adult patients,
the diagnosis was based on clinical and laboratory data.Generally,
it is not necessary to perform any imaging in the early diagnosis of acute pyelonephritis.
Imaging tests are reserved for patients:
1.Unresponsive to treatment within 72 hours.
2.Patients as diabetics,...
Conclusion
CT is the modality of choice in complicated urinary tract infections,
in order to prevent kidney failure and septic shock.
In the renoureteral colic,
abdominal radiography and the ultrasound remain the initial diagnostic techniques,
with a relentless progression of abdominal CT without contrast.
It is necessary to introduce low-dose protocols in abdominal CT in urinary studies requiring several acquisitions (active bleeding,
trauma,
complications)
References
Craig WD,
Wagner BJ,
Travis MD.
Pyelonephritis: Radiologic-Pathologic Review.
RadioGraphics 2008: 28: 255-276
Weintrob AC,
Sexton DJ,
Calderwood SB,
Bloom A.
Emphysematous urinary tract infections.
Up to Date jun 20,
2012.
Huang JJ,
Tseng CC.
Enphysematous pyelonephritis: clinicoradiological classification,
management,
prognosis and pathogenesis.
Arch Intern Med 2000; 160: 797-805
Kenney PJ.
CT evaluation of urinary lithiasis.
Radiol Clin North Am.
2003; 979-99
Boyd R,
Gray AJ,
Role of the plain radiograph and urinalysis in acute ureteric colic.
J Accid Emerg Med 1996,
13: 390-1.
Yilmaz...
Personal Information
ML.
Parra Gordo,
MD
Department of Radiology
Hospital Universitario La Princesa
Universidad Autónoma de Madrid
Diego de León,
62
28006 Madrid (Spain)