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Urinary bladder distention presenting as venous obstruction and hypovolemic shock
G Bouachour1, P Tirot, N Varache
1Intensive Care Unit, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, Angers, France.
The American Journal of Emergency Medicine
|November 1, 1991
Summary
Urinary retention can cause severe vascular complications, including limb obstruction. Prompt diagnosis using radiologic imaging is crucial for effective management of this unusual presentation.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Vascular Surgery
- Radiology
Background:
- Bladder distention is a common urological condition.
- Vascular complications secondary to bladder distention are rare.
- Hypovolemic shock is a life-threatening condition requiring immediate medical attention.
Observation:
- A patient presented with confusion, hypovolemic shock, and signs of arterial and venous obstruction in the left lower extremity.
- Initial presentation suggested a primary vascular event.
- Phlebography was performed to investigate the vascular obstruction.
Findings:
- Phlebography revealed the cause of vascular obstruction to be urinary retention.
- The urinary retention led to significant bladder distention, causing secondary vascular compromise.
- This case highlights an unusual vascular complication of a common urological condition.
Implications:
- Clinicians should consider urinary retention in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with unexplained hypovolemic shock and lower extremity vascular obstruction.
- Radiologic investigations, such as phlebography, may be essential for diagnosing rare vascular complications of bladder distention.
- Early recognition and management of urinary retention can prevent severe secondary complications.