Post obstuctive diuresis – relief is not the end! The problem just starts

Aim and background: Post-obstructive diuresis (POD) following relief of urinary tract obstruction is usually a self-limiting phenomenon. However pathological POD can occur resulting in various complications. This case report describes a patient who developed POD and was managed effectively

Objective: To familiarize emergency physicians with the occurrence of post obstructive diuresis following relief of urinary obstruction

Case report: 78-year-old man presented to our ED with complaints of difficulty in urination for past 1 week. On examination, his abdomen was distended with palpable bladder. Vitals and other systemic examinations were normal. Bladder was decompressed by catheterization and around 1000 ml urine drained. Patient developed massive diuresis post decompression of bladder in the following days. He was treated with intravenous fluids and electrolyte imbalances corrected appropriately.

Conclusion: Early diagnosis by close monitoring and timely management reduces complications following decompression of urinary bladder 

Clinical significance: To increase the awareness among emergency physicians thereby enabling early diagnosis and foresee the complications and improve the outcomes of the patients