Visualizing the "Pop-Off": Point-of-Care Ultrasound Diagnosis of Spontaneous Ureteral Rupture.
Chung-Chun Wang, Chan-Han Wu, Pei-Wen Chao et al.
✦ AI-curated · Sources linked
Case in brief
A 66-year-old man presented with sudden severe right flank pain and a normal urinalysis. Point-of-care ultrasound revealed mild right hydronephrosis and a large perinephric fluid collection, allowing visualization of a discontinuity in the proximal ureter. Contrast-enhanced CT confirmed ureteral rupture due to a distal calculus. The patient underwent urgent urinary diversion and fully recovered.
Diagnostic / clinical pearl
Point-of-care ultrasound can effectively identify extrarenal fluid collections and, in rare cases, the site of ureteral rupture, especially when urinalysis is inconclusive.
Why it matters
This case underscores the importance of using POCUS in acute abdominal conditions, as it can expedite diagnosis and management in cases where traditional imaging may be misleading.