Emphysematous cystitis in a patient with acute pancreatitis, a rare occurrence

Abstract

Emphysematous cystitis (EC) is a rare condition seen usually in patients with urosepsis associated with gas-forming, Gram-negative bacteria. If untreated, it is associated with a mortality rate of 7%. The diagnosis of EC is made generally by abdominal imaging. Management of EC is adequate urinary drainage, broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy and proper glycaemic control. Surgical intervention is indicated in severe EC. Immediate diagnosis and treatment is necessary because the disease may rapidly progress to cause bladder necrosis, emphysematous pyelonephritis, urosepsis and death. We report an atypical presentation of EC in a 75-year-old woman.

Keywords

• emphysematous cystitis
• acute pancreatitis
• diabetes mellitus