[Causes and course of fornix rupture].
OBJECTIVE
Fornix rupture is a urological emergency situation. In most cases ureteral stones represent the underlying cause. We present the largest series ever reported.


METHODS
Between 1994 bis 2005 a total of 162 patients were diagnosed with a fornix rupture. There were 121 men and 41 women with a median age of 53 years (range: 20-79 years). We investigated the following parameters: underlying cause of fornix rupture, symptoms, diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.


RESULTS
In 60% of cases a ureteral stone was found as cause and in another 28% we found no reason for fornix rupture. 93% of patients had one or more symptoms at the time of diagnosis. In all patients primary endoscopic therapy (96%) or insertion of a nephrostomy tube was performed (4%). Also, antibiotic treatment was given in 92% of patients. No patient developed a perirenal abscess or other relevant complication requiring open operative revision.


CONCLUSIONS
We confirm that ureteral stones are the most frequent causes of fornix rupture. With a low pressure system and antibiotic treatment, secondary complications can be effectively prevented.
Doehn
C
C
Klinik und Poliklinik für Urologie, Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein (UK S-H), Campus Lübeck. doehn@medinf.mu-luebeck.de
Fiola
L
L
Peter
M
M
Jocham
D
D
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004630:Emergencies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006869:Hydronephrosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D007670:Kidney Calices / Q000293:injuries; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D008096:Lithotripsy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009403:Nephrostomy, Percutaneous; D012421:Rupture; D012422:Rupture, Spontaneous; D015607:Stents; D014514:Ureteral Calculi / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D014517:Ureteral Obstruction / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D053584:Urinoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D014567:Urography; D055815:Young Adult