Ultrasound Contribution to the Diagnosis of Emphysematous Cystitis

Abstract

Emphysematous cystitis is a severe urinary tract infection which threatens patients’ life. Thus, it requires early diagnosis and computed tomography (CT) is the reference medical exam used to address it. However, ultrasound, which is a non-ionizing and very accessible technique, may also contribute to diagnosis. The aim of this study was to illustrate the contribution of ultrasound to the diagnosis of emphysematous cystitis. We report three cases of emphysematous cystitis diagnosed by ultrasound. In all the cases, ultrasound identified basic signs showing presence of gas, including a hyperechoic cystic parietal thickening, repeat echoes and dirty shadow cones of intraluminal focus. Diagnostic confirmation was made in two cases through X-ray and in one case by means of computed tomography. Through simple basic signs, ultrasound directs most usefully towards an emphysematous urinary tract infection. CT enables a more accurate diagnostic work-up of lesions and differential diagnosis with vesico-digestive fistula.