Renal trauma in occult ureteropelvic junction obstruction: CT findings

Blunt renal trauma in ureteropelvic junction obstruction kidney: A case report

Introduction

Kidneys are one of the most commonly affected retroperitoneal organ in trauma cases despite its relatively well-protected location. Renal trauma occurs in 80–95% of urogenital trauma cases and 8–10% of abdominal blunt trauma. Renal trauma in hydronephrotic kidney due to ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) is a rare entity, despite of high risk of trauma urogenital due to large size and thin parenchyma. In this case we reported blunt renal injury with a congenital abnormality of the kidney.

Case presentation

We present a case of abdominal blunt trauma due to motor-vehicle accident in a 23 year old male patient. The patient complaint of visible hematuria since 1 day after falling from motorcycle with right flank hit the road, accompanied with right flank pain. Vital signs were within normal limits. Physical examinations reveal distention of right flank with no sign of peritonitis. Supporting examination with FAST ultrasound revealed grade 4 hydronephrosis with internal echo, suspected blood accumulation inside the kidney. Abdominal CT scan revealed grade IV hydronephrosis of right kidney with thin parenchyma. We performed laparotomy and renal exploration, intraoperatively we found multiple laceration of the kidney into pelvicalyceal system (AAST grade IV) with hematoma inside the right kidney and UPJ stenosis (about 5 cm). We decided to perform right nephrectomy despite of grade IV injury with consideration of poor renal function, long stenosis segment and thin renal parenchyma will cause many complications in the future for the patient.

Conclusion

Renal injury in UPJO kidney is a rare entity despite of high risk of injury in this population. Management of renal injury in this population might be not consistent with guideline for renal trauma, and clinical judgement from the physician plays an important role to provide the best treatment for this patient.

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Renal trauma occurs in 80–95% of urogenital trauma cases and 8–10% of abdominal blunt trauma.

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Renal trauma in hydronephrotic kidney due to ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) is a rare entity.

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Management of renal injury in hydronephrotic kidney due to ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) might be not consistent with guideline for renal trauma.

Delayed Rupture of the Renal Collecting System Secondary to a Traumatic Hemorrhage in the Setting of Suspected Chronic Ureteropelvic Junction Obstruction

Isolated rupture of the renal pelvis secondary to blunt trauma is rare, though there is increased incidence in the setting of a pre-existing renal abnormality that predisposes the kidney to injury. We report a case of post-traumatic hemorrhage into the renal collecting system leading to delayed rupture of the renal pelvis in the setting of suspected chronic ureteropelvic junction obstruction. This case illustrates the difficulty in diagnosis of acute hemorrhage into the renal collecting system. Special attention should be given to a kidney with a pre-existing abnormality in the setting of trauma to prevent complications. A literature review of hemorrhage into the collecting system along with appropriate imaging and management are discussed.

Hydronephrosis From Ureteropelvic Junction Obstruction Discovered on Point-of-Care Ultrasound in Patients With Trauma

We present 2 cases of patients with abdominal trauma who were found to have hydronephrosis on point-of-care ultrasound secondary to previously undiagnosed ureteropelvic junction obstructions. We review the ultrasound findings, technique, and relevant literature regarding renal point-of-care ultrasound and ureteropelvic junction obstruction.

Renal trauma

The kidney is the most commonly injured genitourinary organ, and renal involvement has been reported in 1–5% of all trauma cases. Two mechanisms of renal injury are described, namely blunt (direct blow to the kidney, rapid acceleration/deceleration or a combination) and penetrating (from stab or gunshot wounds), with blunt injuries being most common in the UK. It is important to keep an index of suspicion for renal trauma as given by the mechanism of the injury or in poly-trauma. Accurate assessment and resuscitation are vital in the initial management. Imaging with computed tomography is critical to the accurate grading of the injury and helps guide subsequent treatment. The approach to management of renal injuries has changed over time. During the past two decades, advances in cross-sectional imaging coupled with minimally invasive intervention strategies (like angiography, embolisation and ureteric stenting) for managing traumatic renal injuries have allowed increased renal preservation by reducing the need for major surgical intervention. Nowadays, the vast majority of blunt injuries (up to 95%) are managed conservatively with accumulated experience suggesting this is safe. However, there is still a role for open surgical exploration in patients with haemodynamic instability or those who fail initial conservative/minimally invasive management.

Urologic trauma guidelines: a 21st century update

Trauma is the leading cause of death between the ages of 1 and 44 years in the USA. While stabilization of life-threatening injuries is the primary goal in the evaluation of all trauma patients, subsequent diagnosis and treatment of secondary injuries are requirements for good trauma care. The genitourinary system is involved in 10% of trauma cases, and these injuries can be associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. Accordingly, physicians involved in the initial evaluation and subsequent management of trauma patients should be aware of the diagnosis and treatment of injuries that can occur in the genitourinary system. In 2009, the European Association of Urology provided specific recommendations for the evaluation, diagnosis and management of genitourinary trauma. Here, we review and discuss these recommendations in order to provide a concise summary for clinicians involved in the evaluation and management of trauma patients and their associated genitourinary injuries.

The Literature Increasingly Supports Expectant (Conservative) Management of Renal Trauma — A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

The perfect degree of operative intervention in renal trauma is unknown. However, expectant management for most blunt renal trauma is the standard of care, and nonoperative management is increasingly accepted for stab wounds. The best treatment of gunshot wounds and vascular injuries is still unclear; however, recent data indicates that a trial of nonoperative therapy may be warranted in those not exsanguinating from the kidney. Conservative management has many benefits, the greatest of which is decreasing the rate of iatrogenic nephrectomy. We have reviewed the world's literature to determine the level of support for expectant management of renal injury.

METHODS

The English language literature concerning renal trauma was identified with the assistance of Medline, and additional cited works not picked up in the initial search were obtained. One hundred and ten citations were ultimately reviewed dating back to 1947.

RESULTS

Most modern citations support at least a trial of expectant management for renal trauma patients not exsanguinating from the kidney, and without ureteral or renal pelvis injuries. The treatment of renovascular injuries has less consensus, but it appears that 'conservative' management by the application of nephrectomy is often the best approach, although renovascular repair may be attempted in rare cases.

CONCLUSION

Dozens of papers going back as far as 50 years seem to support the wider use of nonoperative therapy of renal injuries, although for unclear reasons, this approach is not yet universally accepted.

Rupture of the renal pelvis of a ureteropelvic junction hydronephrosis after blunt abdominal trauma

In the present case report, we present the unusual occurrence of traumatic rupture of a ureteropelvic junction hydronephrosis, and discuss the potential mechanisms producing such a rupture and the management options.

Ureteropelvic junction disruption following blunt abdominal trauma

We report here on a case of avulsion of the ureteropelvic junction in a 7-year-old boy who was injured in a car accident. Severe brain trauma took precedence over signs and symptoms of blunt abdominal trauma, but 24 hours after the accident, progressive distension of the abdomen required further evaluation. Ultrasound examination and a computed tomography scan revealed disruption of the ureteropelvic junction. Simple primary anastomosis was performed. We discuss the characteristics of this unusual injury and include a review of the literature.