Ketamine-induced cystitis: Lessons from a case of recreational use.
Archana Jhawar, Zane Elfessi
✦ AI-curated · Sources linked
Case in brief
A 56-year-old male with a history of recreational ketamine use presented with severe suprapubic pain, dysuria, urinary frequency, and hematuria. Initial treatments for suspected urinary tract infection were ineffective. Imaging revealed pelvic fluid and renal atrophy, while laboratory tests indicated acute kidney injury. The patient improved with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and was discharged after three days, despite ongoing risks associated with ketamine use.
What made this case unusual
The case highlights ketamine-induced cystitis, which can present similarly to infectious cystitis but is often sterile, leading to potential mismanagement with unnecessary antibiotics.
Diagnostic / clinical pearl
Clinicians should consider ketamine-induced cystitis in patients with urinary symptoms and a history of ketamine use, as it can mimic infection without the presence of pathogens.
Why it matters
Recognizing ketamine-induced cystitis can prevent inappropriate antibiotic use and guide effective management strategies, emphasizing the importance of harm reduction in patients using ketamine recreationally.