ABSTRACT
Spontaneous non-traumatic urinary collecting system ruptures without distal obstructive causes are rare and uncommon. They should be considered in the differential diagnosis of renal colic or acute abdomen. Here, we present a case of spontaneous rupture of the left proximal ureter with perirenal fluid extravasation without an identified cause. The patient was treated conservatively and in the first week, symptom improvement was shown by control imaging methods. Ureteral stent placement or percutaneous nephrostomy, even open surgery are options for the management of spontaneous rupture of the urinary collecting system, however, conservative management may be an option for selected patients.
Introduction
Urinary collecting system ruptures are uncommon and are often due to distal obstructive conditions such as urinary stones or external mass pressure to the ureter. However, in the literature, spontaneous non-traumatic urinary collecting system ruptures with perinephric fluid extravasation without distal obstructive causes have been reported (1,2). Here, we present a case of spontaneous rupture of the left proximal ureter without an identified cause.
Case Presentation
A 65-year-old female patient was admitted to the emergency room due to severe left flank pain, which aroused her from sleep. There was no history of trauma affecting the left lumbar region. She never had urinary stone disease. In addition, no history of operation or comorbidity was noted. Her physical examination was normal except left costovertebral angle tenderness. The mere pathological laboratory findings were leukocytosis (12960/uL) and an increase in erythrocyte sedimentation rate (22; N: 0-20 mm/hour). Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen showed a perfusion reduction in the left renal parenchyma, with a collection of fluid causing perirenal reticular density suggesting urinoma. CT urography showed contrast agent extravasation from the left proximal ureter and contrast material accumulation around the perirenal area. There was no sign of obstruction. A consent form had been taken when she was hospitalized, and followed up conservatively. In the first week, control abdominal imaging methods showed disappearance of perirenal reticular density. Eventually, she did not need any surgical intervention.
Discussion
Spontaneous rupture of the urinary collecting system is a rare condition. Some hypothesis for the mechanisms of spontaneous urinary collecting system ruptures, such as urinary stone movement causing internal ureteral erosion for distal urinary stones, have been proposed (3). Besides, there are some reported cases of spontaneous ureteral rupture due to malignancies (4,5) and pregnancy (6).
The term “spontaneous” for urinary collecting system ruptures was defined in a study as being with no external trauma, no cystoscopic ureteral manipulation, no external compression or any urinary surgical intervention (7). As defined, there was no underlying cause for a ureteral rupture in our case.
There is no specific clinical manifestation for spontaneous rupture of the urinary collecting system. Sudden onset of flank pain, mimicking renal colic symptoms, or acute abdomen might be the main symptoms (8).
Despite the rupture level in the urinary system may vary, the most commonly described site is the renal fornix (9). The rupture level of ureteropelvic junction or proximal ureter level is rare. The cause of rupture is the increase of intraluminal pressure by external or internal obstruction of the ureter. Urinary system ultrasonography may show hydronephrosis and perinephric fluid. Contrast-enhanced CT and CT urography may be the best diagnostic imaging methods for urinary collecting system ruptures (10).
Spontaneous urinary collecting system ruptures may cause major consequences, such as urinoma, perirenal abscess formation, and urosepsis. Ureteral JJ stent placement, percutaneous nephrostomy, or even surgical repair such as urinary diversion may be required for treatment. However, in selected cases, observation and conservative management may be an option. Akpinar et al. (11) reported four patients with the complaint of sudden onset abdominal and flank pain. All patients had urinary extravasation on their CT scans. One patient underwent ureteral stent placement, and the rest of them were followed conservatively. Perirenal fluid resolution was seen on CT images within three days. The patients were followed for a mean period of 17 months without any problems (11). Al-mujalhem et al. (12) declared that conservative management was a valid option for non-complicated spontaneous renal forniceal rupture.
Spontaneous urinary collecting system rupture should be considered in emergency rooms in the differential diagnosis of renal colic or acute abdomen. There is no evidence yet for the best treatment option, however, conservative management may be an option for selected cases besides other invasive treatment methods. All cases should be reported in order to expand the patient pool and further literature data is needed to determine the most appropriate treatment modality.