Primary genitourinary tuberculosis: rapid progression and tissue destruction during treatment

Abstract

We report a case of primary genitourinary tuberculosis associated with severe progressive scarring, and obstruction of the left collecting system and proximal ureter, a contracted bladder with persistent vesicoureteral reflux and a bulbar urethral stricture. Scarring commenced soon after initiation of medical therapy, and resulted in left nephrectomy and reconstruction with colocystoplasty, right ureteral reimplantation and urethroplasty. The rapidity of disease progression and severity of tissue destruction in this case suggest that patients with genitourinary tuberculosis require close supervision starting at initiation of drug treatment. When complications do arise appropriate surgical intervention may become mandatory to decrease morbidity and to conserve renal function. The pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, radiological findings and treatment of genitourinary tuberculosis are reviewed.