[Urogenital lesions diagnosed incidentally during evaluation for blunt renal injuries]

Pre-existing pathology of the urogenital system may interfere with the pathophysiology of trauma, alter the radiographic imaging and influence the way of therapeutic approach. The aim of our study was to record the pathological lesions of the urogenital tract found incidentally during evaluation for blunt renal trauma and subsequently comment on their importance.

The files of 675 patients referred to our department from 1982 to 1998 for further evaluation of possible blunt renal injury were reviewed. Our standard procedure is to perform an ultrasonogram and intravenous pyelography while CT scan and angiography are performed when indicated. No pediatric cases are encountered.

Ultrasonographic and radiological evaluation revealed the presence of various congenital or acquired lesions of the urinary tract in 24 patients (3.5%). Lithiasis was the most common finding; multiple bladder stones and staghorn calculi were found in 8 and 4 cases, respectively. In 4 cases a renal mass other than hematoma was present while in 3 cases the trauma to the kidney was accompanied by rupture of large cortical cysts. Left renal agenesia was detected in 1 patient, a duplicated renal pelvis system in 1, bilateral ureterocele in 2, and retroperitoneal fibrosis in another patient. In 4 cases (2 with ruptured renal cyst, 1 with renal cell carcinoma and one with staghorn calculus) concomitant renal injury requiring immediate surgical intervention was detected.

Lesions of the urinary tract found incidentally during evaluation for suspected renal injury are uncommon. However, they may complicate an otherwise negligible renal trauma while in some cases they may be of vital importance for the patient's final outcome.