Significant upper urinary tract hematuria as a rare complication of high-pressure chronic retention of urine following decompression: a case report

INTRODUCTION: Hematuria has been described following bladder drainage in 2% to 16% of high-pressure chronic urinary retention treatments by decompression and is generally self-limiting. We describe a case of significant bilateral upper urinary tract hematuria following drainage of high-pressure chronic retention. To the best of our knowledge, the only similar case reported in the literature was in 1944. CASE PRESENTATION: An 82-year-old Caucasian man was referred to our department with nocturnal enuresis and a palpable bladder. He was catheterized, produced a residual volume of 2900mL, and ended up becoming oliguric. Following investigations, he had bilateral nephrostomies. He was discharged 18 days after presentation. CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians should keep in mind the presentation discussed in this case report to be able to swiftly manage this extremely rare complication of decompression in patients with high-pressure chronic retention.