Spontaneous ureteric rupture due to high pressure chronic retention

• Published in: JRSM open Vol. 13; no. 3; p. 20542704221077556
• Main Authors: Deen, Shameer, Ogbu, Emmanuel, Walker, Nicholas Faure, Nkwam, Nkwam Michael
• Format: Report
• Language: English
• Published: 01.03.2022
• ISSN: 2054-2704; 2054-2704
• DOI: 10.1177/20542704221077556

Spontaneous ureteric rupture is a rare phenomenon which can be traumatic or non-traumatic that may arise from ureteric obstruction, trauma, mucosal inflammation from urolithiasis, connective tissue disease or retroperitoneal fibrosis. High pressure chronic retention is characterised by noctural enuresis, a tense palpable bladder, hypertension, progressive renal impairment, bilateral hydronephrosis and hydroureter on imaging. Obstructive urological symptoms are typically absent in uncomplicated cases. We report the case of a 69-year-old male who presented with high pressure chronic retention and spontaneous ureteric rupture demonstrated on a noncontrast CT. This patient was managed with a urethral catheter on free drainage and a retrograde ureteric stent. The patient's condition improved, and the stent was removed after a uretero-pyeloscopy which revealed no extravasation. He later underwent a successful transurethral resection of the prostate.