EDITOR CASE REPORTSEmphysematous cystitis and pyelonephritis leading to a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes in an older patient Dear Editor, Emphysematous urinary tract infection is rare, while the co-occurrence of emphysematous pyelonephritis is even more exceptional. We report a case of an older patient without regular medical follow-up presenting with a combination of emphysematous cystitis and pyelonephritis that led to a diagnosis of underlying type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM).An 88-year-old man was admitted to the emergency unit of our hospital with delirium and shivering. His past medical history was unremarkable. On examination, the patient was confused, hemodynamically stable and not febrile. He exhibited bilateral pitting oedema up to the thighs, decreased cardiac sounds and breathing sounds at lung bases. There was also a suprapubic tenderness with dullness on percussion. An enlarged prostate without exacerbated pain on touch was found during the rectal exam. The rest of the examination was unremarkable. Blood analysis at hospital admission showed a non-fasting blood sugar level of 8.4 mmoL/L, a normochromic, normocytic anaemia (Hb 130 mg/ L), no leucocytosis and an elevated C-reactive protein level of 17.6 mg/L. Levels of creatinine and urea were also elevated up to 411 μmol/L and 33 mmoL/L, respectively. eGFR was 10 mL/ min/1.73 m 2 , and the total amount of carbon dioxide was 17.4 mmoL/L. Urine analysis showed a leucocyturia (7537 leucocyte/ mm 3 ) associated with a non-glomerular haematuria (481 red cells/ mm 3 ). An ultrasound scan showed the presence of air in the bladder. Therefore, a non-contrast computed tomography (CT) scan was performed, which revealed extensive intramural air in the bladder wall progressing up to the left kidney with a dilated left ureter and perinephric infiltration (Fig. 1). The bladder was partially filled up with fluid. This was suggestive of emphysematous cystitis and pyelonephritis. The urologist's opinion was that there was no indication to perform drainage with nephrostomy as diuresis was preserved. In order to monitor the urine output and to treat the urinary retention, a perurethral 16 Fr Folley catheter was inserted. Purulent urine was drained after catheterization. Ciprofloxacin was started immediately and was rapidly switched to imipenem for 10 days following results of the urine culture collected at hospital admission and positive within the first 24 h for growth of an extended-spectrum beta-lactamase producing Escherichia coli. The two sets of blood cultures collected were negative. The patient was then moved to the intensive care unit for monitoring. This conservative treatment was successful, with clinical improvement and regression of the radiological diagnoses on follow-up CT. A trial without catheter was unsuccessful, with recurrence of urine retention, leading to long-term catheterization. Subsequently, type 2 diabetes mellitus was confirmed with a glycated hemoglobin level of 8.4%, associated with micro-and macrovascular complications. The patient was later di...