Emphysematous Pancreatitis as a Life-Threatening Condition: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Emphysematous pancreatitis represents the presence of gas within or around the pancreas on the ground of necrotizing pancreatitis due to superinfection with gas-forming bacteria. This entity is diagnosed on clinical grounds and on the basis of radiologic findings. Computed tomography is the preferred imaging modality used to detect this life-threating condition. The management of emphysematous pancreatitis consists of conservative measures, image-guided percutaneous catheter drainage or endoscopic therapy, and surgical intervention, which is delayed as long as possible and undertaken only in patients who continue to deteriorate despite conservative management. Due to its high mortality rate, early and prompt recognition and treatment of emphysematous pancreatitis are crucial and require individualized treatment with the involvement of a multidisciplinary team. Here, we present a case of emphysematous pancreatitis as an unusual occurrence and discuss disease features and treatment options in order to facilitate diagnostics and therapy.

Indications for Percutaneous Drainage in Patients with Huang Class 3B Emphysematous Pyelonephritis: A Case Report and Literature Review

Emphysematous pyelonephritis (EPN) is a severe urinary tract infection common in patients with diabetes. Nephrectomy is recommended when the Huang classification is ≥3B. We herein report a case in which nephrectomy was avoided using antimicrobial agents and percutaneous drainage (PCD). A 59-year-old man was diagnosed with EPN (Huang classification 3B). The causative bacteria were Escherichia coli. Despite high-risk factors, EPN was cured with kidney preservation and PCD because the emphysema and abscess were not extensive. Thus, PCD should be considered in patients with Huang Class 3B EPN and high-risk factors if emphysema and abscess are not extensive.

Emphysematous hepatitis with successful treatments: A rare case report

RATIONALE

Emphysematous hepatitis (EH) is a rare and fulminant gas-forming liver infection. Only 3 patients were successfully treated. Diabetes mellitus and a history of digestive system cancer may predispose individuals to EH. Computed tomography (CT) findings support the diagnosis of EH and monitor progress.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 48-year-old man with diabetes presented with nausea, vomiting (gastric contents) and diarrhea. Laboratory test results revealed elevated levels of inflammatory indicators and abnormal liver function. CT showed a large-scale air collection with some remaining parenchymal debris in the left lobe of the liver. Remarkably, no fluid was observed inside the lesion.

DIAGNOSE

The abdominal CT features and laboratory examination results rationalized the diagnosis of EH.

INTERVENTIONS AND OUTCOMES

The patient finally recovered from this severe disease through a series of effective treatments, including strict glucose control, sensitive antibiotic therapy, and subsequent percutaneous drainage.

LESSONS

EH generally deteriorates rapidly and eventually leads to death. This case will raise awareness of the rare and severe disease, strengthen diagnostic capacities, and provide advice to treat it.

Emphysematous cystitis: an incidental finding with varying outcomes

Emphysematous cystitis (EC) is a rare severe urinary tract infection characterised by pockets of air in and around the urinary bladder wall caused by gas-forming organisms. Common predisposing factors are chronic infection, immunosuppression, diabetes and neurogenic bladder. The presentation may vary from mild illness to severe life-threatening cystitis. We report two cases of incidental detection of EC diagnosed on imaging for the evaluation of unrelated symptoms. Although asymptomatic, this lethal disease still warrants prompt recognition and treatment with broad-spectrum antibiotics and urinary bladder drainage to prevent severe morbidity and mortality.

[Emphysematous gastritis. Report of a case in the elderly]

INTRODUCTION

Emphysematous gastritis is an uncommon pathology but with high mortality, its clinical presentation is insidious, the tomography image is distinguished by a pattern of linear bubbles with thickening of the gastric wall.

BACKGROUND

This is a 78-year-old male, previously healthy, functional, who was admitted for pertrochanteric fracture of the left hip, who during hospitalization presented hyperactive delirium, abdominal distention with decreased perstalsis in addition to arterial hypotension, an abdominal tomography with evidence of gastric dilation and multiple air bubbles in the wall. He is managed with a broad spectrum antibiotic, fluid therapy and parenteral nutrition, with a favorable response.

CONCLUSIONS

Advanced age does not in itself lead to a worse disease prognosis, the evidence supports that early diagnosis and early therapeutic intervention are the measures that have proven to be more effective in reducing mortality in patients with emphysematous gastritis.

Predictive factors for mortality and intensive care unit admission in patients with emphysematous pyelonephritis: 5-year experience in a tertiary care hospital

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

Emphysematous pyelonephritis is a life-threatening infection of the kidney and surrounding tissues associated with a high mortality rate. The aim of this study was to determine predictive factors for mortality and intensive care unit admission in patients with emphysematous pyelonephritis, and to propose a therapeutic algorithm based on current literature and our experience.

METHODS

A retrospective study was done including patients with emphysematous pyelonephritis in a single center in the north of Mexico from 2011 to 2016. Demographic, clinical, microbiological and biochemical parameters, therapeutic management, and outcomes were assessed. Factors associated with admission to intensive care unit and mortality were determined. Comparison was assessed using X² test for categorical variables, and T-test for numerical variables. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed. Statistical significance was set at P < .05.

RESULTS

A total of 63 patients were included, of which 55 (87.3%) were females, with a mean age of 55.5 ± 12.2 years. The most common comorbidities were diabetes and hypertension. Escherichia coli was the most common isolated microorganism (51.7%) and extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing agents were reported in 31.7%. Conservative therapy was provided to 38.7%, double J stent 42.9%, open/percutaneous drainage 12.7%, and nephrectomy 25.3%. Overall mortality and intensive care admission were 20.6% and 36.5%, respectively. In the multivariate analysis, hemodynamic instability (P = .005), qSOFA ≥ 2 (P = .003), hypoalbuminemia (P = .02), and early nephrectomy (P = .002) were associated with intensive care admission. Huang scale 4 (P = .006) and early nephrectomy (P = .001) were associated to mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Emphysematous pyelonephritis is a life-threatening disease and evidence of management is based in small case series due to the low incidence of this condition. Hemodynamic instability, hypoalbuminemia, qSOFA ≥ 2, Huang scale ≥3, and early nephrectomy are associated with poor prognosis.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of risk factors and treatment choices in emphysematous pyelonephritis

PURPOSE

Emphysematous pyelonephritis (EPN) is an acute, severe necrotising infection of the kidney. There has been a shift from early nephrectomy to conservative methods. We conducted a meta-analysis to assess the impact of risk factors and treatment choices on outcomes in EPN.

METHODS

We conducted a database search of all studies in English, reporting more than 12 patients of EPN from 1980 to 2020. We compiled the demographics, clinical presentations, risk factors, critical diagnostic results, treatment modalities and outcomes, including mortality.

RESULTS

We identified 37 observational studies, 32 retrospective and 5 prospective. The studies reported on 1146 patients, of which 790(68.9%) were female, and 946 (82.5%) were diabetic. In addition, 184 (16.1%) patients had stones, and 235 (20.5%) had obstructive uropathy. Fever and flank pain were the most frequent symptoms. The most common clinical features were pyuria, fever, flank tenderness, and tachycardia. E. coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Proteus were the most frequent organisms isolated. X-ray KUB and ultrasound were used as initial diagnostic modalities, but CT scan was the usual diagnostic and confirmatory investigation. Confusion, shock, thrombocytopenia, sepsis, emergency nephrectomy and hyponatremia were significantly associated with mortality. In particular, confusion and hyponatremia were associated with a sevenfold increase in mortality risk. There was no evidence that diabetes, stones, obstructive uropathy, AKI or proteinuria was associated with higher mortality. Nevertheless, 143 of the total 1146 patients died (12.5%). While 26% of the patients who had upfront emergency nephrectomy died, only 9.7% and 10% of patients with medical management and medical management plus minimally invasive treatments died. However, patients that failed medical and minimally invasive treatments and needed salvage emergency nephrectomy had a mortality of upwards of 27%.

CONCLUSION

The risk factors for mortality in emphysematous pyelonephritis are shock, thrombocytopenia, confusion, hyponatremia and emergency nephrectomy. Conservative and minimally invasive treatment should be the initial management strategy for emphysematous pyelonephritis as they carry lesser mortality risks. The presence of risk factors may help predict the subset of patients who need aggressive treatment and minimally invasive treatment modalities or early nephrectomy.

[Diagnosis and treatment for emphysematous pyelonephritis: analysis of 14 cases from a single centre]

Objective: To examine the modalities of treatment and clinical outcomes of emphysematous pyelonephritis (EPN), in order to improve the survival rate of EPN patients. Methods: Totally 14 patients diagnosed as EPN between October 2011 and November 2020 at Department of Urology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine were included in this article. Data collection including patient demographics, clinical manifestations, management and clinical outcomes were conducted by retrospective charts review, after receiving the institutional review board's approval. There were 11 females and 3 males with a median age of 59 years (range: 52 to 73 years). The lesions were located on the left side in 10 patients and right side in 4 patients. All the 14 patients suffered from fever, and present with severe sepsis or septic shock. The median time from symptom onset to admission to hospital was 3 days(range: 2 to 5 days). All cases had diabetes mellitus. Escherichia coli was the most common organism been cultured (11 cases), while Klebsiella pneumonia was the second (3 cases). CT scan showed bubbly or located gas in the renal parenchyma in 5 cases and presence of steaky or mottled gas in the renal parenchyma in 9 cases. All patients had been admitted to ICU for anti-septic shock therapy. Three patients had undergone percutaneous catheter drainage along with broad-spectrum antibiotics therapy while 3 patients had immediate nephrectomy, the other 8 cases had a combination of an initial percutaneous catheter drainage and second stage nephrectomy. Results: In this case series, 3 patients were died from EPN while the other 11 were survived. The median ICU stay time was 6 days (range: 3 to 11 days). Of the 3 patients died from EPN, 2 had undergone percutaneous catheter drainage along and 1 had received immediate nephrectomy. Among the 11 patients who were survived, only 1 had received percutaneous catheter drainage while the other 10 received nephrectomy (8 patients had staged nephrectomy). Follow-up was performed 6 months after discharge. Of the 11 surviving patients, 2 were lost to follow-up, and the remaining 9 patients had an creatine level of (118.4±29.4) μmol/L (range: 89 to 176 μmol/L). Conclusions: For patients coupled with diabetes who were initially diagnosed as acute pyelonephritis, the possibility of EPN should be considered when the disease progressed rapidly especially septic shock occurred. On the basis of empirical broad-spectrum antibiotics therapy and standardized anti-septic shock treatment, a combination of an initial percutaneous catheter drainage and second stage nephrectomy could be efficacious.

[Emphysematous cystitis and emphysematous pyelonephritis]

Emphysematous cystitis and emphysematous pyelonephritis are rare entities, difficult to diagnose and with high morbidity and mortality. The non-specificity of the medical history and the little usefulness of laboratory tests contribute to diagnostic delay, which increases the possibility of therapeutic failure. We present 2 cases, one of cystitis and another of emphysematous pyelonephritis, who attended the emergency room due to severe urinary sepsis. Despite severity of the symptoms, conservative management was performed with bladder drainage and antibiotic treatment, without interventions or surgeries, presenting a favorable evolution and resolution of the infectious process. Each case must be individualized to offer the best possible therapeutic alternative.

[Emphysematous pyelonephritis: case of successful conservative treatment]

Emphysematous pyelonephritis is rare form of pyelonephritis, which has mortality of nearly 80%. Conservative treatment can be successful in less than 30% of cases. Currently, in the guidelines there is no standard approach to conservative and surgical treatment of this entity. The clinical observation of successful conservative treatment of a patient with emphysematous pyelonephritis, associated with decompensated diabetes mellitus, from the diagnosis to recovery without performing nephrectomy in order to preserve kidney function, is described in the article.

Fecal microbial transplantation and a high fiber diet attenuates emphysema development by suppressing inflammation and apoptosis

Recent work has suggested a microbial dysbiosis association between the lung and gut in respiratory diseases. Here, we demonstrated that gut microbiome modulation attenuated emphysema development. To modulate the gut microbiome, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) and diet modification were adopted in mice exposed to smoking and poly I:C for the emphysema model. We analyzed the severity of emphysema by the mean linear intercept (MLI) and apoptosis by the fluorescent TUNEL assay. Microbiome analysis was also performed in feces and fecal extracellular vesicles (EVs). The MLI was significantly increased with smoking exposure. FMT or a high-fiber diet (HFD) attenuated the increase. Weight loss, combined with smoking exposure, was not noted in mice with FMT. HFD significantly decreased macrophages and lymphocytes in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Furthermore, IL-6 and IFN-γ were decreased in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and serum. The TUNEL score was significantly lower in mice with FMT or HFD, suggesting decreased cell apoptosis. In the microbiome analysis, Bacteroidaceae and Lachnospiraceae, which are alleged to metabolize fiber into short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), increased at the family level with FMT and HFD. FMT and HFD attenuated emphysema development via local and systemic inhibition of inflammation and changes in gut microbiota composition, which could provide a new paradigm in COPD treatment.

Successful management of emphysematous gastritis with invasive gastric mucormycosis

The present manuscript reports two extremely rare cases of coexisting emphysematous gastritis with gastric mucormycosis. The cases were managed successfully, considering the high mortality associated with both conditions independently. The aim of the manuscript is to elucidate the importance of prompt diagnosis, early surgical intervention for source control and concomitant application of antifungal therapy for a favourable outcome.

Cytomegalovirus Colitis Followed by Colonic Pseudolipomatosis and Gastric Emphysema in a Post-resuscitation Patient

A 64-year-old Japanese man suffered cardiopulmonary arrest, which may have resulted from sepsis and/or hyperosmolar hyperglycemic non-ketonic coma, and was admitted after successful resuscitation. He had watery diarrhea on day 18 and was diagnosed with cytomegalovirus enterocolitis. In addition, computed tomography performed on day 27 and colonoscopy revealed gastric emphysema and intestinal pseudolipomatosis, respectively. This report is the first to describe a patient with cytomegalovirus enterocolitis and subsequent gastric emphysema and pseudolipomatosis. Gastrointestinal cytomegalovirus infection may underlie gastric emphysema and intestinal pseudolipomatosis, particularly in patients with relative or obvious immune dysfunction.

Emphysematous cystitis successfully treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy: case report

Emphysematous cystitis is an uncommon acute infection of the underlying bladder musculature and mucosa, caused by gas-producing organisms. Here we describe an 87-year-old woman with diabetes mellitus and emphysematous cystitis who was successfully treated with hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) therapy. Her predisposition of diabetes and infection with gas-producing bacteria was considered to precede the development of emphysematous cystitis. Computed tomography revealed gas accumulation in the bladder wall and lumen. Antibiotics and HBO2 therapy were administered. HBO2 therapy may be beneficial due to the improvement in oxygenation of the tissues affected by the disease. HBO2 is a useful adjunct therapy for the management of severe emphysematous cystitis.

Quantifying patient centered outcomes associated with the use of bilateral endobronchial coil treatment in patients with severe emphysema

OBJECTIVE

To determine the impact of endobronchial coils on health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL). This paper utilizes trial data to identify the predictors of HRQoL in patients with severe emphysema, and subsequently estimates the impact of a new treatment on HRQoL (measured by utilities). These utility estimates are used to generate indicative long-term QALY estimates for a range of clinically plausible scenarios as a precursor to cost-effectiveness analyses.

METHODS

Patient level HRQoL data from RENEW and the National Emphysema Treatment Trial (NETT) were combined and mapped to generic EuroQol 5-dimension health utility questionnaire (EQ-5D) values using a published algorithm. Multilevel statistical models were developed using treatment, time, response, and baseline characteristics (EQ-5D, age, gender, FEV1, lung RV) to predict EQ-5D over time. Lifetime QALY estimates were generated using published survival data from NETT (assuming no impact of treatment on mortality) and four clinically plausible response profiles. Each response profile was combined with assumptions around treatment impact (constant or time varying).

RESULTS

After controlling for baseline characteristics, both treatment and response had a statistically significant impact (p < .001) on utility (+0.101 and +0.061, respectively). When combined with selected baseline characteristics and time, Coils and Standard of Care (SoC) generated more QALYs than SoC alone in all scenarios, with incremental lifetime benefit ranging from 0.29-0.55 QALYs.

CONCLUSIONS

Coils and SoC resulted in statistically significant improvements in HRQoL compared to SoC alone in patients with severe emphysema.

Emphysematous pyelonephritis and cystitis in a patient with uremia and anuria: A case report and literature review

INTRODUCTION

Emphysematous pyelonephritis (EPN) or cystitis (EC) is a severe infection of the urinary tract with high mortality. EPN is uncommon among the patients of end stage of renal failure (ESRD) CASE PRESENTATION:: A 38-year-old male with uremia and anuria who was on hemodialysis was found to have gas formation in the bilateral pelvis, ureters, and urinary bladder by CT scan. The diagnosis was emphysematous pyelonephritis and cystitis. And Foley catheter was placed and bladder irrigation was performed. Escherichia coli infection was identified in urine culture and antibiotic was prescribed accordingly. Gas disappeared completely and the patient recovered uneventfully.

CONCLUSION

This is the first case report of asymptomatic EPN and EC in uremic patient, and conservative management was optimistic in this condition. More attention should be paid to EPN and EC happening to ESRD patients.

[Air configurations in the pelvis]

A 74-year-old man presented to the Emergency Department after a fall from a ladder. Plain radiographic screening of the lumbar spine revealed an unanticipated curvilinear, oval-shaped air configuration in the pelvis. Computed tomography of the lumbar spine showed air within the bladder wall and lumen. Urine cultures were positive for Escherichia coli. The patient was discharged after bladder drainage and empiric antibiotic treatment.

Emphysematous pyelonephritis - a rare complication of diabetes mellitus

Emphysematous pyelonephritis is a rare form of acute necrotizing pyelonephritis. It is a gas-producing, necrotizing infection involving the renal parenchyma and surrounding tissues. It is associated with high mortality and morbidity. In the majority of cases, patients with long-standing diabetes and poor glycemic control are affected. We report the case of a 67 yr old female who survived severe sepsis due to emphysematous pyelonephritis. Potential therapeutic strategies in the aftermath from a diabetologist's point of view are discussed.

Emphysematous pancreatitis associated with penetrating duodenal ulcer

In the “proton pump inhibitors era”, a penetrating peptic ulcer (PPU) represents an exceptional cause of abdominal pain, and was more frequently observed in the past where there was not an effective antacid treatment. Ulcer-induced pancreatitis is very rare, too, and manifests with persistent, intense pain radiating to the back. A mild to severe pancreatitis with peripancreatic fluid collection can be observed at imaging. However, only a few cases of association between PPU and emphysematous pancreatitis (EP) have been published in the literature. EP is a rare but potentially fatal form of acute necrotizing pancreatitis in which gas grows in and outside the pancreas, and typically involves the whole parenchyma in diabetic individuals.

Here we report an extremely rare case of a duodenal ulcer penetrating the pancreas and complicated with EP. Unlike the classic form of EP, which involves the whole parenchyma and has a poor prognosis, we found that the emphysematous involvement of the pancreas by PPU has a benign course if a conservative therapy is promptly established. Gas is confined to the site of penetration, usually the pancreatic head, and ulcers most often involve the duodenum.

Oxygen therapy in COPD patients with isolated nocturnal hypoxemia; comparison of quality of life and sleep between bronchitis and emphysema phenotype: A prospective observational study

BACKGROUND

COPD is a heterogeneous disease composed by two main phenotypes: bronchitis (COPDb) and emphysema (COPDe) with different clinical presentation, physiology, imaging, response to therapy and decline in lung function. The aim of this study is to evaluate whether nocturnal hypoxemic COPDb and COPDe have a different behaviour during sleep and the effect of nocturnal oxygen supplementation (nO₂LT).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

75 COPDb and 120 COPDe were enrolled. All patients performed polysomnography, Pittsburgh and Maugeri Foundation Respiratory Failure questionnaire, and pulmonary function before and after six months of nO₂LT.

RESULTS

At baseline, compared to COPDb, COPDe have decreased sleep efficiency (SE) (67.5±6% vs. 76.9±3% p<0.05) and higher arousals (A/I) (18.1±3 event/h vs. 8.7±1 event/h p<0.05). Oxygen desaturation index (ODI) was increased during REM (7.1±1 event/h vs. 2.3±0.5 event/h p<0.05). nO₂LT in COPDe improves SE (77±4% vs. 67.5±6% p<0.05) and decreases A/I (9±5 event/h vs. 18.1±3 event/h p<0.05). ODI during REM (3.5±2 event/h vs. 7.1±1 p<0.05) decreases and quality of life (QoL) improves (MFR-28 total 56±22 vs 45±20 p<0.05), due to an improvement in cognitive abilities (45±30 vs 33±31 p<0.05) and daily activities (61±29 vs 53±21 p>0.05). In COPDb nO₂LT reduces ST90 (15±6% vs. 43±8% p<0.05) less than in COPDe (15±6% vs. 8±4% p<0.05); improves A/I (10±2 event/h vs. 8.7±1 p<0.05) and there is no evidence of an improvement in QoL.

CONCLUSIONS

Six months of nO₂LT improve quality of life in COPDe, not in COPDb. We found a difference in sleep quality between COPDe and COPDb.

[Prognostic factors of morbimortality in patients with emphysematous pyelonephritis]

BACKGROUND

Emphysematous pyelonephritis (EPN) is a severe infection of the urinary tract, caused by gas accumulation within the collecting system, the renal parenchyma, and/or the perirenal tissue. The cause of this infection is not known at all; however, it has been suggested that it is produced by the glucose fermentation provoked by enterobacteriaceae or anaerobic organisms. Our objective was to evaluate the predictors of morbidity and mortality in patients diagnosed with EPN.

METHODS

It was carried out a historical cohort study of patients diagnosed with EPN in our hospital from March 2005 to December 2014. Patients with adverse outcome were identified. We defined adverse outcome as patients requiring stay in intensive care unit, who presented nephrectomy and/or who died. A multiple regression analysis was conducted to establish the relation of each clinical factor with the adverse outcome.

RESULTS

73 records were included for analysis, 48 were women (65.8 %) and 25 men. Diabetes, urolithiasis, E. coli infection and septic shock occurred in 68.5, 68.5, 63, and 15.1 %, respectively. We found that leukocytosis ≥12 000 µl (OR 43.65, 95 % CI 2.36-805, p <0.001), thrombocytopenia ≤120 000 µl (OR 363, 95 % 9.2-14208, p <0.0001), and Huang's radiological class 3 (OR 62, 95 % CI 4-964, p < 0.001) were factors significantly associated with adverse outcome.

CONCLUSION

Thrombocytopenia, leukocytosis and Huang's radiological class 3 are associated with adverse outcome in patients with EPN.

[Emphysematous cystitis: Report of 2 cases with different outcomes]

OBJECTIVE

To report two cases of emphysematous cystitis, a rare, potentially serious disease.

METHODS

Analysis of two different cases treated in our center and review of the existing literature.

RESULTS

One patient underwent emergency surgery (radical cystectomy) due to the advanced stage of the disease. The second patient, whose was in an initial stage, benefited from a new treatment, consisting of hyperbaric oxygen and wide spectrum antibiotics.

CONCLUSIONS

Early diagnosis is the cornerstone of the conservative management of the disease. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy may be beneficial due to the improvement in oxygenation of the tissues affected by the disease.

Emphysematous pyelonephritis: a review of six cases

BACKGROUND

Emphysematous pyelonephritis is a severe life threatening necrotising infection of the renal parenchyma. The infection most commonly occurs in the diabetic population, often associated with the organism E. coli Emphysematous pyelonephritis differs from standard pyelonephritis by the bacterial liberation and accumulation of gas in the surrounding tissues. The condition is rarely encountered in clinical practice and since the first description by Kelly et al in 1898, approximately 200 cases have been reported in the literature.

METHODS

The case series examines our experience with six diagnosed cases of emphysematous pyelonephritis over a one year period.

RESULTS

All patients were female, the mean age of presentation being 53 years. Of the six patients, five were diabetics with hypertension, the one exception being a non-diabetic patient who had undergone renal exploration in the past. Computed tomography confirmed the diagnosis in all patients except one which was confirmed during renal exploration. Urine culture was positive for E. coli in two patients.

CONCLUSION

Emphysematous pyelonephritis which used to be a rare disease is now being more readily diagnosed. The cases were diagnosed at a late stage making its conservative management not feasible

Interventional pulmonology: an update for internal medicine physicians

Interventional pulmonology is a subspecialty that uses advanced diagnostic and therapeutic procedures to care for patients with benign and malignant diseases of the lung, airways and pleura. There has been a rapid proliferation of new pulmonary procedural technologies over the last decade. Common diagnostic applications include endobronchial ultrasound, guided bronchoscopy and a number of pleural disease interventions. Endobronchial ultrasound is performed with a specially design flexible bronchoscope and allows safe and accurate sampling of intrathoracic structures through the airway wall under direct visualization. Guided bronchoscopy methods are granting significant improvement in the diagnostic yield of flexible bronchoscopy. Virtual bronchoscopy, radial probe endobronchial ultrasound and electromagnetic navigational bronchoscopy are examples of these methods. Interventional pulmonologists can also be trained to perform ultrasound guided thoracentesis, closed-needle pleural biopsy and medical thoracoscopy to help in the diagnosis of different pleural pathologies. Therapeutic applications can be used to efficiently bring symptomatic relief of benign and malignant central airway obstruction by using a myriad of flexible and rigid bronchoscopy techniques. Airway stenting and ablative techniques such as laser, electrocautery, cryosurgery and microdebrider techniques are example of resources that can be used by interventional pulmonologists for therapeutic purposes. A number of effective therapies for the management of malignant pleural disease have been studied in recent years, including chemical pleurodesis and tunnelled pleural catheters, greatly adding to our understanding of which therapy to use in which patient. In addition, flexible bronchoscopy approaches to more common disease, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are currently available or are being developed. This update aims to provide the internal medicine physician with a brief overview of some of the common clinical procedures performed by interventional pulmonary specialists and the current indications and evidence for their use.

Differential diagnosis and clinical relevance of pneumobilia or portal vein gas on abdominal x-ray

The purpose of the article is to present the differential diagnostic criteria between pneumobilia (air in the biliary system) and portal vein gas on abdominal x-ray. Differential diagnosis is essential because of its influence on patient management. Two patients are presented, one with pneumobilia and the other with portal vein gas on abdominal x-ray, with review of the relevant literature. Pneumobilia is often iatrogenic and even in cases of cholecystitis it is never a sole indication for emergency surgery. Patients with pneumobilia on abdominal x-ray can always be investigated further. On the other hand, the presence of air in portal vein is in most cases a sign of acute mesenteric ischemia. In adults with abdominal pain indicating intestinal ischemia (pain that is 'out of proportion' to clinical abdominal examination findings), it is an indication for emergency exploratory laparotomy. It is vital to act early when intestinal ischemia is suspected.

Emphysematous cystitis: a tympanic bladder

An 86-year-old woman with type 2 diabetes was admitted with increasing lethargy and hyperglycaemia. On examination she was noted to have a tender and tympanic bladder. CT revealed a distended bladder with gas locules in the bladder wall. She was diagnosed with hyperglycaemic hyperosmolar non-ketosis precipitated by emphysematous cystitis. After systemic antibiotics and bladder drainage via a urethral catheter, her symptoms readily improved. Radiographic appearances of the bladder were normal one week after instigating treatment. Emphysematous cystitis is characterized by gas within the bladder wall. Although rare it is increasingly more recognized with the advent of modern imaging. The mainstay of treatment is antibiotics and bladder drainage. Rarely surgical debridement and even cystectomy is required.

Computed tomography scan in supine and prone positions: an alternative method to detect intramural gas in emphysematous cystitis and to evaluate efficacy after adjuvant continuous intravesical irrigation treatment

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy of continuous intravesical irrigation with saline plus amikacin as adjuvant therapy and to evaluate the computed tomography (CT) scan in supine and prone positions (CystoCT scan) as an alternative diagnostic and evaluation method of intramural gas in emphysematous cystitis (EC) before and after treatment.

METHODS

Consecutive patients with a diagnosis of EC who were hospitalized between March 2006 and January 2011 were investigated. The diagnosis was made by CystoCT scan. Treatment consisted of intravenous antibiotics, control of concomitant diseases, and placement of a 3-way urinary catheter for continuous irrigation of 500 mg of amikacin diluted in 1 l of saline given on days 0, 3, and 7. Treatment was considered successful when there was an absence of gas in the bladder wall, the urine culture was negative, there was clinical improvement, and there was an absence of toxicity.

RESULTS

Eleven patients were hospitalized with a diagnosis of EC during the study period. Four were excluded from the study, 2 due to the lack of confirmation of the diagnosis with the CystoCT scan. Treatment was successful in all patients; for 6 (86%) this was achieved in 3 days and for 1 (14%) in 7 days. No toxicity was reported.

CONCLUSIONS

Continuous intravesical irrigation with saline plus amikacin as adjuvant treatment of EC is an inexpensive, effective, and safe tool that might help conventional treatment and provide a rapid recovery. The CystoCT scan is an alternative method to diagnose and evaluate intramural gas in EC patients. These findings should be challenged in a randomized, multi-centre, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

Bilateral emphysematous pyelonephritis with a splenic abscess

The case of a 66-year-old woman with untreated diabetes mellitus who was admitted to our hospital with a fever, hypotension and an altered mental status is herein reported. Computed tomography revealed bilateral emphysematous pyelonephritis along with a splenic abscess. Blood and urine cultures grew Escherichia coli. Treatment with systemic antibiotics combined with the insertion of percutaneous and renoureteral catheters was successful. The patient was discharged and completed treatment without developing any subsequent complications.

Emphysematous liver abscesses complicated by septic pulmonary emboli in patients with diabetes: two cases

An emphysematous liver abscess is a fatal condition that often occurs in patients with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus. I herein describe two cases of Klebsiella pneumoniae-induced emphysematous liver abscesses complicated by septic pulmonary emboli in patients with poorly controlled diabetes mellitus. Both patients showed hemoglobin A1c levels of more than 10% and did not present with any abdominal symptoms on admission. However, they were diagnosed and successfully treated with percutaneous transhepatic abscess drainage and antibiotics. This fatal disease should be taken into consideration in patients with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus who suffer from prolonged fevers and uncharacteristic general malaise.

[Emphysematous pyelonephritis. Epidemiological, clinical, biological, bacteriological, radiological, therapeutic and prognostic features. Retrospective study of 30 cases]

BACKGROUND

Emphysematous pyelonephritis is an uncommon, necrotizing bacterial infection of the kidney. It is a severe, life threatening affection.

AIMS

To study the epidemiological, clinical, biological, bacteriological and radiological features of this affection, and to describe its therapeutic management and prognostic characteristics.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective study including 30 patients who were treated for an emphysematous pyelonephritis, in Charles Nicolle hospital department of urology, from 1987 to 2009.

RESULTS

Emphysematous pyelonephritis generally affects adults. It is especially favored by diabetes and urinary tract obstruction. Escherichia coli is the main causative agent. Uroscan is the key of diagnosis. It is both medical and surgical emergency; the treatment combines intensive care with appropriate antibiotics and often drainage. Nephrectomy may be necessary from the outset, or after drainage failure. Prognosis is poor, with a high mortality rate (23 %), in our series.

CONCLUSION

Management of emphysematous pyelonephritis poses real problems. This affection is still threatening, despite of advances in intensive care.

Clinics in diagnostic imaging (138). Emphysematous pyelitis

We present the case of a 49-year-old woman with poorly controlled diabetes mellitus of ten years' duration. She presented to the emergency department with nonspecific left lower abdominal pain. Ultrasonography showed mild left renal hydronephrosis, but the cause was not demonstrated. Computed tomography (CT) showed a swollen left kidney with a mildly dilated collecting system containing gas and dense fluid, confirming the diagnosis of emphysematous pyelitis. Management consisted of emergency antegrade nephrostomy drainage and parenteral antibiotics. Subsequently, the patient made a good recovery and was well when discharged home after two weeks. Gas-forming infections of the genitourinary tract carry high mortality and morbidity, and usually occur in patients with poorly controlled diabetes mellitus. Escherichia coli is the most common microorganism. This case emphasises the importance of CT in making an early diagnosis of emphysematous pyelitis, which allows prompt treatment and improves prognosis.

Five patients with emphysematous pyelonephritis

Emphysematous pyelonephritis is an acute necrotizing infection of the renal parenchyma, resulting in presence of gas within either in the collecting system or perinephric space. We herein report our experience with 5 cases of emphysematous pyelonephritis in 2 men and 3 women managed by broad spectrum antibiotics, supportive measures including hemodialysis (2 patients), ureteral stenting (2 patients), surgical drainage of perinephric collection (1 patient), and control of diabetes mellitus (4 patients). Four patients were discharged after a mean hospital stay of 18 days. A nondiabetic male patient with a nonobstructed kidney died on the second postoperative day due to persistent septicemia despite nephrectomy. Emphysematous pyelonephritis is a potentially fatal disease requiring careful and prompt diagnosis and individualized rational therapy. Ureteropelvic stenting should be used for drainage of pent-up collections as a lifesaving measure through relieving the obstruction. Perinephric fluid collection should be drained either percutaneously or surgically.