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Updated: Jun 6, 2026

Ultrasonography of the Adult Male Urinary Tract for Urinary Functional Testing
Published on: August 14, 2019
Dual Urinary Tract Pathology in a Frail Elderly Man
1Geriatrics, Royal Gwent Hospital, Newport, GBR.
Abstract:
A prostatic abscess is a rare but critical complication of urinary tract infections that may coexist with upper urinary tract involvement, such as pyelonephritis. This case report describes an 84-year-old frail gentleman with dementia who was admitted with a fall into the Accident and Emergency Unit. He was noted to be febrile, with suprapubic tenderness and raised infection markers. He underwent a CT trauma series, which revealed right kidney pyelonephritis with a prostatic abscess. A broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotic was started with no improvement, and the patient was not suitable for surgical drainage. He received multiple courses of long-term antibiotics, and his condition improved with the resolution of the abscess. Early imaging is generally indicated for patients with atypical presentations, poor response to therapy, or underlying immunocompromised status. In this case, it helped to confirm acute pyelonephritis and identify complications, including abscess formation.
Insights
A prostatic abscess, a rare urinary tract infection complication, was identified alongside pyelonephritis in an elderly patient. Long-term antibiotics successfully resolved the abscess, highlighting the importance of imaging in complex cases.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Prostatic abscess is a rare but serious complication of urinary tract infections (UTIs).
- UTIs can involve the upper urinary tract, such as pyelonephritis, and may coexist with prostatic abscess.
- Prompt diagnosis and management are crucial for patient outcomes.
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