Air in the water: A case of emphysematous cystitis and point-of-care ultrasound in the emergency department

O Gómez Maria Alejandra¹, O Cardozo Alejandro², P García Manuel Alejandro²

DOI: 10.32677/yjm.v2i3.4290

DOI URL: https://doi.org/10.32677/yjm.v2i3.4290

Publish Date: 19-12-2023

Pages: 177 - 178

Views: 2

Downloads: 3

Author Affiliation:

¹General physician, Department of Emergency, Fundación Instituto Neurológico de Colombia, Medellín, Colombia, 
²Emergency Physician, Department of Emergency, Fundación Instituto Neurológico de Colombia, Medellín, Colombia

Abstract

Emphysematous cystitis is a rare and potentially fatal complication of urinary tract infections. We present a case of bacterial emphysematous cystitis in a 59-year-old woman who presented with behavioral changes, aggression, visual hallucinations, unintentional weight loss, fecal incontinence, and occasional diarrhea for two months. The diagnosis was suspected by abdominal ultrasound and confirmed by abdominal computed tomography. This highlights the importance of imaging as a diagnostic tool for emphysematous cystitis, particularly point-of-care ultrasound in the emergency department, due to its sensitivity and freedom from radiation.