the presence of diabetes mellitus or other comorbid emphysematous infections of the urinary tract.
RESULTSIn all, 102 published papers, including 135 cases of EC, were reviewed; the median patient age was 66 years, 64% were women and 67% had diabetes mellitus. Most cases were diagnosed using plain films of the abdomen (84%), although more recently, computed tomography was the primary imaging method. Escherichia coli was the most commonly isolated organism. Most patients were treated with medical management alone (90%), while 10% of infections were treated with a combination of medicine and surgery. The overall death rate was 7%.
CONCLUSIONSEC is the most common and typically the least severe gas-forming infection of the urinary tract. Prompt diagnosis and treatment is warranted to prevent the potential morbidity and mortality of this infectious condition.
The urological complications in the first consecutive 1,000 renal transplants at our transplant center are reported with a minimum followup of 12 months. The kidney was implanted in the iliac fossa in all cases and in all but 3 the ureter was inserted into the bladder with a Politano-Leadbetter technique. Overall, there were 71 primary complications in 68 patients (7.1%), which included 36 ureteral obstructions, 25 ureteral or bladder leaks (including ureteral necrosis), 7 bladder outflow obstructions, 2 ureteral stones and 1 case of symptomatic vesicoureteral reflux. The use of high dose steroids in the early years was associated with a 10% urological complication rate, which decreased to 4% in patients receiving low dose steroids thereafter combined with azathioprine or cyclosporine. The urological complication was corrected after 1 procedure in 65 cases and after 2 procedures in 4. No grafts were lost due to urological complications. Two patients died, 1 of sepsis following transurethral resection of the prostate and subsequent ureteral necrosis, and 1 of hemorrhage following nephrostomy tube insertion. Most ureteral complications were treated by an open operation, although in recent years endoscopic techniques have become more common. Meticulous retrieval technique, low dose steroid protocols and rapid diagnosis are the crucial factors associated with a minimal incidence of urological complications after renal transplantation.
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