Article Type : Case Report
Authors : Hussain A, Haseena NM and Mohammed FS
Keywords : Endourological; Emphysematous; Diabetic ketoacidosis
Emphysematous
pyelonephritis (EPN) is a rare and potentially life-threatening condition that
requires prompt and aggressive management. Here, we present a case of a
57-year-old male patient with EPN and urosepsis who presented to ER with
diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and sepstic shock, and developed respiratory and cardiac arrest during his hospital stay. The
patient was managed successfully with DKA and sepsis management and an
endourological approach to drain the infection. The patient was also on a
ventilator for 5 days in the ICU.
Sepsis is a life-threatening organ dysfunction caused
by dysregulation of the host's response to infection. Organ dysfunction is
identified using the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score (SOFA score).
SOFA score equal to or more than 2 reflect a risk of death of around 10%. This
requires prompt and appropriate intervention so that the condition does not get
worse. Sepsis can lead to ketoacidosis in diabetes mellitus patients. More than
50% of KAD cases are thought to be triggered by infection. Diabetic
ketoacidosis is an acute metabolic disorder characterized by increasing
circulating ketone bodies which progresses to ketoacidosis with uncontrolled
hyperglycemia due to insulin deficiency. Acidic ketone bodies are produced by
lipolysis process. Acidosis occurs when ketone levels exceed the body's buffer
capacity. During an infection there will be an increase in the secretion of
cortisol and glucagon hence there is a significant increase in blood sugar
levels
A 57-year-old male diabetic presented to the emergency
department with complaints of fatigue and shortness of breath. On further
evaluation he was found to have severe diabetic ketoacidosis with sepsis. He
was started on fluid and insulin management. He developed sudden respiratory
arrest while in emergency department and was intubated and ventilated. He was
shifted to ICU. Initial investigations could not identify the focus of
infection. But empirical broad spectrum antibiotic- Piperacillin+Tazobactum was
started. Urine examination and USG KUB were normal. His Blood pressure was not
improving and acidosis were persisting. Inotropic support started. Patient
developed sudden cardiac arrest. Advanced cardiac life support was initiated,
and the patient was successfully resuscitated. On second day, his platelets
dropped drastically. Renal function worsened. Acidosis persisted. Hemodialysis
was done. HRCT chest and CT abdomen were done. CT abdomen showed evidence of
Emphysematous pyelonephritis of left kidney. Antibiotic changed to Meropenam. Patient
remained hemodynamically unstable despite treatment. He was taken up for
emergency endourological management. A double-J stent was placed to drain the
infected urine from the left kidney. Left sided Percutaneous nephrostomy drains
placed after 2 days.
Investigations revealed- Hb- 12.2 g/dl, platelet count-126000, CRP-351.2 mg/l, RBS-33.8mmol/lHbA1c16%, Urea12.7mmol/l, Creatinine190micromol/l, Sodium-119 mmol/l, Potassium-4.3 mmol/l, Chloride 78 mmol/Lpt-12.2 sec, PTT-31.2 sec, Lactate-3.9 mmol/l, Procalcitonin-100 microgram/l, pH-7.19 L, PCo2-26.6 mm hg, Bicarbonate 9.8 mmol/l Cxr and USG abdomen-was normal HRCT-chest was normal CT abdomen showed evidence of Emphysematous pyelonephritis of left kidney (Figure 1).
Figure 1: Evidence of
Emphysematous pyelonephritis of left kidney.
An urgent CT scan revealed the presence of gas in the left renal parenchyma and retroperitoneal space, indicating the progression of EPN. The patient was taken up for emergency endourological intervention, and a Left DJ stent placed under IV analgesia using minimum instrumentation. After 2 days percutaneous nephrostomy was placed to drain the left kidney. The patient's condition improved significantly following this intervention, and he was shifted to the ICU for further management. The patient was on a ventilator for 5 days in the ICU. He was gradually weaned off the ventilator and shifted to the general ward. The patient was discharged after a total hospital stay of 21 days. The patient remained asymptomatic on follow-up after 2 months.
The patient was followed up after 1 week, 3 weeks, and
2 months postoperatively. Pt was consulted with Internal medicine and nephrologist
for management of Blood sugars and
kidney function. He is currently asymptomatic and planned for Left DJ stent
removal. His sugars are also well controlled.
The management of life-threatening urosepsis with emphysematous pyelonephritis (EPN) and associated complication of cardiac arrest is a complex and challenging task. The endourological approach for drainage of the infection is a minimally invasive technique with the potential to avoid more invasive surgical procedures and allow for renal sparing, as in our case. Our patient presented as a case of Diabetic ketoacidosis with sepsis and prompt search for source of infection identified the cause. Patient didn’t have any urological symptoms on presentation and as he was on ventilator immediately after presentation, we couldn’t gather a proper past history. Search of medical records identified a past h/o Prostatic abscess last year which prompted us to look for urosepsis. Initial USG abdomen was normal and EPN was diagnosed with CT abdomen.
In our patient, we successfully treated EPN using a
combination of percutaneous nephrostomy and ureteric stenting. The patient had
a remarkable recovery with complete resolution of sepsis and return of normal
renal function. Moreover, the renal sparing approach adopted in our case
allowed us to preserve the kidney, which is particularly important in cases of
unilateral renal disease. Although the endourological approach has been described
in literature as an effective management strategy for EPN, its use in cases of
cardiac arrest is rare. In our case, prompt initiation of cardiopulmonary
resuscitation (CPR) allowed the patient to survive the cardiac arrest and
receive the necessary endourological treatment. The use of CPR in such cases
has been associated with improved survival rates and neurological outcomes
[1-7].
In conclusion, the management of life-threatening
urosepsis with EPN and associated complication of cardiac arrest is challenging
and requires a multidisciplinary approach. The endourological approach, with
its potential for renal sparing, can be a viable treatment option. Prompt
initiation of CPR in cases of cardiac arrest can be lifesaving and allow for successful
management of the underlying infection. Identifying the source of infection and
prompt treatment of infection helped in correction of DKA as well.