Emphysematous cystitis - An uncommon yet fatal urinary tract infection

Emphysematous cystitis is an uncommon form of complicated urinary tract infection mostly caused by Gram-negative organisms in elderly, debilitated or immune-compromised patients. It has a varied spectrum of clinical manifestations ranging from asymptomatic to generalised sepsis. Radiological investigations such as conventional abdominal radiography and computed tomography are quintessential for diagnosis. Treatment with culture-specific antibiotics forms the mainstay of management. We present the case of an elderly patient who presented with gastric carcinoma and, during his stay, developed an unexplained fever with rapid clinical deterioration. Emphysematous cystitis was diagnosed radiologically, and urinalysis revealed Klebsiella pneumoniae. Culture-specific antibiotics were started after obtaining the culture report, and despite early and aggressive management, the patient succumbed to generalised septicaemia. Although Emphysematous cystitis is known to have lower mortality compared to other gas-forming infections of the urinary tract, high degrees of clinical suspicion and early management are of paramount importance in obtaining a favourable outcome.