Empyema of the Ureter

Ureteral empyema: what is it and how to treat it?

**Ureteral empyema** is an infection and purulent inflammation in the urinary tract. They are rare in men and are mainly observed in women. Most often they are a complication of pyelonephritis, cystitis and urethritis, as well as the result of unsuccessful catheterization of the bladder.

*Symptoms* - Body temperature above 38 °C - Increase in urine temperature to 40-41˚C (prevents emptying of the bag) - Pain in the lower back and abdomen - Constant feeling of pain when urinating - Less commonly, purulent discharge from the vagina or pus from the urethra.

- The earliest symptom of empyema is acute urinary retention, followed by pain and fever. In acute cases, fever with chills and sweating is possible. Antipyretic drugs such as ibuprofen or paracetamol may be prescribed to reduce fever. The patient also feels nauseous, the urine is dark red, cloudy, vomiting occurs, and consciousness is impaired. In this case, the patient requires medical attention!

How is ureteral empyema treated?

Treatment of empyema in a hospital: The patient is hospitalized until all signs of the disease completely disappear. Usually the doctor prescribes the following procedures and studies: - General blood test - General urine test - Biochemical blood test - Bacteriological analysis of blood and urine - Microscopy of urine sediment

If treatment is successful, the patient can be discharged home after about a week. The duration of treatment for empyema may vary depending on the severity of the patient's condition and his general condition.

Surgical treatment When empyema does not respond to conservative therapy, the doctor decides to surgically remove the abscess. This may include clearing the tube completely of infected contents, drainage (moving infected urine through the tube without draining it), antibiotic therapy, and surgical closure of the wound. The hospital duration is 7-10 days. After discharge from the hospital, the doctor prescribes a long course of antibiotics. Depending on the severity of the disease, the recovery period can take from 3 to 6 months. The patient is usually referred to physical therapy after discharge from the hospital. This comprehensive approach to the treatment of empyema helps to avoid complications.

It should be noted that empyema is a dangerous disease, so treatment should be carried out under the supervision of qualified specialists. Therefore, the patient should consult a doctor immediately, especially if symptoms characteristic of empyema appear, which indicate the need for diagnosis and immediate treatment. It is important to understand that correct and timely treatment of empyema significantly increases the chances of recovery and reduces the risk of various complications.