Significant upper urinary tract hematuria as a rare complication of high-pressure chronic retention of urine following decompression: a case report

High-pressure chronic retention is maintenance of voiding, with a bladder volume of greater than 800mL and an intravesical pressure above 30cm H₂O, accompanied by hydronephrosis [1]. The treatment involves catheterization to relieve the pressure on the kidneys and allows normalization of renal function. We anticipate hematuria in 2% to 16% of cases and a profound diuresis following drainage of the bladder [2]. We report the case of an 82-year-old Caucasian man who instead became oliguric and had significant hematuria affecting the upper renal tract.

An 82-year-old Caucasian man was referred by his general practitioner because of nocturnal enuresis, declining renal function, and a palpable bladder. He was taking aspirin for ischemic heart disease. On admission, his estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was 12mL/minute (creatinine was 398mmol/L), hemoglobin was 9.5g/dL, platelet count was 357 (×10⁹/L), and coagulation profile was normal. Insertion of a urethral catheter produced a residual volume of 2900mL. He was put on intravenous fluid replacement and monitored for diuresis. Over the following 48 hours, he developed significant hematuria causing anemia (hemoglobin of 7.8g/dL) and requiring bladder irrigation and blood transfusion. He became oliguric and his renal function deteriorated to an eGFR of 7mL/minute (creatinine of 670mmol/L). An ultrasound evaluation revealed an enlarged prostate (150mL) and bilateral hydronephrosis with echogenic material within the pelvicalyceal systems (Figure 1).

A computed tomography scan confirmed dilatation of both renal pelvises and both ureters filled with material consistent with blood clots (Figure 2).

Our patient developed leukocytosis (20,000/mm³) with a C-reactive protein of 188mg/L and so bilateral 8-French nephrostomies were inserted on day 4. Despite regular flushing, they became blocked on day 6. Cystoscopy revealed a large occlusive prostate and a trabeculated bladder with numerous diverticulae. After an attempt at bilateral retrograde stenting was unsuccessful because of dilated and very tortuous ureters filled with clots, he underwent percutaneous nephroscopic examination and washout of the left renal pelvis and insertion of a 24-French drain. No stones or malignancies were identified. He declined the procedure on the right side, where the nephrostomy was left in situ and was flushed regularly until an accidental dislodgement. His urine output increased significantly, reflecting a progressive improvement in renal function. The hematuria eventually settled. Repeat ultrasound and left nephrostogram demonstrated a clearance of the clots from the collecting system (Figure 3).

The left nephrostomy was removed, and our patient was discharged on day 18 with an indwelling urethral catheter and listed for an urgent transurethral resection of the prostate. His eGFR at discharge was 26mL/minute.

The treatment of high-pressure chronic urinary retention is decompression via a urinary catheter. Hematuria has been described following bladder drainage in 2% to 16% [2] of cases of urinary retention and generally is a self-limiting event. Gradual decompression of the bladder has not been shown to decrease the occurrence of hematuria, possibly because the damage to the bladder wall precedes catheterization [3]. In the absence of randomized controlled trials, the literature supports quick and complete emptying of the obstructed bladder in all cases of retention [2]. Significant hematuria can occur in a number of cases after operative relief of ureteric obstruction but this can be attributed to the surgical trauma rather than to the effect of decompression on the urothelium. We described a case of significant bilateral upper urinary tract hematuria following drainage of high-pressure chronic retention. The only similar case reported in the literature [4] involved a 69-year-old man who developed frank hematuria and fatal uremia following bladder decompression. Cystoscopy revealed blood draining from both ureteric orifices, and a post-mortem examination showed bilaterally distended upper tracts filled with blood clots.

Significant hematuria affecting the upper urinary tract and leading to obstructive renal failure is an extremely rare complication of decompression in patients with high-pressure chronic retention. Perhaps a lesser degree of hematuria often goes unrecognized and is wrongly attributed to surgical trauma or bladder origin. In the case of worsening renal function after catheterization and the presence of hematuria, this possibility should be considered.

Written informed consent was obtained from the patient for publication of this case report and any accompanying images. A copy of the written consent is available for review by the Editor-in-Chief of this journal.