Transurethral catheter in the distal ureter as a cause for acute abdominal pain

Inappropriate placement of urinary catheters into the ureter: A case report and literature review

OBJECTIVE

To emphasize preventive measures and outline management strategies for inadvertent ureteral cannulation.

METHODS

We present a case report and conduct a literature review of 39 case reports on ureteral cannulation, examining a total of 48 patients.

RESULTS

About 67% of the cases were female, and long-term catheterization was observed in 67% of the cases. Neurological conditions such as spinal cord injury (SCI), stroke, dementia, multiple sclerosis, and myasthenia gravis were the primary factors (48%) in ureteral cannulation. Symptoms included flank pain (46%), fever (31%), oliguria (27%), non-deflatable balloon issues (25%), hematuria (21%), abdominal pain (17%), urine leak (12.5%), and nausea/vomiting (8%). Complications varied, including acute pyelonephritis (35%), acute kidney injury (27%), urosepsis (21%), and ureter rupture (17%). Despite inadvertent catheter placement, 25% of patients had no complications. More than half of the patients (58%) were managed through catheter change, while 27% underwent cysto-ureteroscopy with or without balloon puncture or ureteral stenting. Additionally, 10% received interventional radiology procedures, 6.25% underwent surgical repair, and 4% underwent ultrasound-guided balloon puncture.

CONCLUSIONS

Female gender, neurologic conditions, and long-term catheterization were identified as predominant risk factors. Early detection of ureteral cannulation can prevent severe complications, particularly in certain special populations such as patients with neurogenic bladder or SCI, who may have reduced sensation and expression capabilities.

Ureteral Obstruction Due to Inadvertent Placement of the Suprapubic Catheter and Bladder Indwelling Catheter: Presentation of Two Clinical Cases and Review of the Literature

Introduction: Suprapubic catheter (SPC) and bladder indwelling catheter (BIC) placement are among the most common urological procedures. Inadvertent misplacement of the catheter tip into the ureteral orifice is an infrequent event with potentially critical complications. Case Presentation: We describe two cases of inadvertent intraureteral misplacement of an SPC and a BIC. A 66-year-old man with chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage G3b, urethral stenosis, long-term SPC who attended the emergency room (ER) 6 hours after the last catheter replacement due to low back pain, fever, deterioration of the general condition, anuria, acute kidney injury (AKI); CT-scan revealed a left uretero-hydronephrosis secondary to obstruction of the catheter balloon misplaced inside the distal ureter. A 59-year-old woman with CKD stage G3b, post-radiotherapy cystitis, and small capacity bladder, long-term BIC who attended the ER a few hours after the last BIC replacement due to abdominal pain, anuria, AKI; CT-scan revealed left hydronephrosis secondary to catheter obstruction within the distal ureter. In both patients, management was conservative, consisting of removing the catheter and repositioning it inside the bladder, in addition to hydration and antibiotherapy. Conclusions: These cases illustrate that awareness of this rare complication can be prevented by confirming the correct positioning of SPC or BIC after its replacement. Early detection and management of this complication can prevent a serious clinical setting.

Inadvertent placement of a urinary catheter into the ureter: A report of 3 cases and review of the literature

We describe three cases of inadvertent placement of the urinary catheter into the ureter. An 85-year-old gentleman on long-term indwelling catheter (IDC) for neurogenic bladder presented with fever and right flank pain. CT of abdomen and pelvis demonstrated the tip of the IDC to be located within the right vesicoureteric junction with acute right hydronephrosis and acute pyelonephritis. A 74-year-old woman, on long-term IDC for neurogenic bladder was found to have hydronephrosis on ultrasound imaging. Contrast-enhanced CT intravenous pyelography done subsequently showed the IDC was in the right distal ureter. A 47-year-old lady, on IDC for urinary retention and voiding dysfunction likely secondary to schizophrenia and anti-psychotic medications, presented with raised creatinine. A non-enhanced CT of her abdomen and pelvis was done and showed that the tip of the urethral IDC was located up to the left vesicoureteric junction. In all patients, the hydronephrosis resolved after changing the catheter and they were well on discharge. We also review the literature to identify the incidence, outcomes and possible risk factors. To our knowledge, only 20 cases have been reported thus far in the English literature. Although serious complications can occur, the incidence is very low. One risk factor that has been identified is long-term catheterization in patients with neurogenic bladder. We do not recommend routine imaging after catheterization in this group of patients. However, we should still be mindful of the possibility of this occurrence and evaluate and treat as necessary when clinical suspicion arises.