An Unusual Case of Bilateral Peripheral Edema in a Male with Undiagnosed Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
- Author:
Cho Ok BAEK
1
;
Ki Hoi KIM
;
Sun Kyung SONG
;
Ji Hye KIM
Author Information
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords: Diabetes complications; Edema; Neurogenic; Urinary bladder
- MeSH: Abdomen; Blood Glucose; Diabetes Complications; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Diagnosis, Differential; Dysuria; Edema; Emergency Service, Hospital; Hemoglobin A, Glycosylated; Humans; Hydronephrosis; Iliac Vein; Lower Extremity; Male; Middle Aged; Pelvis; Penis; Rivers; Urinary Bladder; Urinary Bladder, Neurogenic
- From:Journal of Korean Diabetes 2019;20(1):57-61
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
- Abstract: The present article demonstrates an unusual case of bilateral lower extremity edema caused by neurogenic areflexic bladder as the first physical symptom of diabetes. A 52-year-old man presented to the emergency department because of massive edema of his lower limbs. The edema had been present for 2 weeks, was symmetrical, and was progressively covering the lower limbs up to the inguinal area, scrotal bag, and penis and was accompanied by dysuria and an interrupted urine stream. Laboratory findings revealed a serum glucose level of 657 mg/dL and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level of 15.6%. Computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen and pelvis revealed marked enlargement of the bladder with bilateral hydronephrosis and hydroureter. In addition, CT demonstrated bilateral compression of the iliac veins caused by the enlarged bladder. This case highlights the importance of a broad differential diagnosis for patients with diabetes and extensive peripheral edema. Neurogenic bladder should be considered in the differential diagnosis, even in newly diagnosed diabetic patients.
