Hematuria Due to Leech Bite in the Urinary Bladder: A Case Report

Abstract

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjch.v37i3.18624 Bangladesh J Child Health 2013; Vol.37(3): 183-185

Leach out of reach: presented with haematuria and urinary retention

“…Consequently the wound caused by the leech is painless. [2][3][4] Leech bites on exposed skin surface is common. Other rare sites include the nose, mouth, vagina, rectum and urethra.…”

“…[1][2][3][4][5] Patients usually present with severe pain in the penis, together with dysuria and frank haematuria. [1][2][3][4][5] Diagnosis of such cases are sometimes difficult unless the patient recognises the leech when it enters the urethra. 4 Ultrasonography may be diagnostic.…”

“…[1][2][3][4][5] Diagnosis of such cases are sometimes difficult unless the patient recognises the leech when it enters the urethra. 4 Ultrasonography may be diagnostic. 3 A tubular structure without any acoustic shadow but with a highly echogenic wall and less echogenic centre indicates a leech in the urinary bladder.…”

“…3 Cystoscopy confirms the foreign body. 2,4 In most reported cases, the leech was spontaneously expelled within 2-12 h of intravesical instillation of normal saline (0.9%). [1][2][3][4][5] In addition, local anaesthetic gel (4%) may be instilled intravesically.…”

“…2,4 In most reported cases, the leech was spontaneously expelled within 2-12 h of intravesical instillation of normal saline (0.9%). [1][2][3][4][5] In addition, local anaesthetic gel (4%) may be instilled intravesically. Some authors advocate hypertonic saline (3%) instillation by which the leech may be anaesthetised, shrunken and ruptured, and may find easy passage through urethra during micturation.…”