Renal Colic: Epidemiological, Clinical Etiological and Therapeutic Aspects at the Urology Department of the National Reference General Hospital of N’Djamena (Chad)

Abstract

Introduction: Renal colic is a medico-surgical emergency in which complicated forms could progress to renal failure and nonfunctional kidney. The objective of our study is to describe the epidemiological, diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of renal colic at the urology department of the NGRH. Methods: This was a prospective study involving 101 patients followed up for renal colic. The study spanned from July 2015 to July 2016 at the urology department of the NGRH. Results: A total of 101 patients suffering from renal colic were enrolled in the study giving a prevalence of 5.1%. The mean age was 38.89 years with a standard deviation of 14.5 years and a sex ratio of 1:3. Flank or lumbar pain of crushing type (45.5%), constant and of severe intensity (61.4%) were the most frequent clinical characteristics. The plain abdominal radiography (Kidney-Ureter-Bladder) coupled with ultrasonography had a 100% sensitivity for the etiological diagnosis of renal colic. Urinary lithiasis was the most frequent cause with 73.3%. Uroculture revealed a urinary tract infection in 44 patients (43.6%). The most frequent germ isolated on the culture was Escherichia coli (27.7%). Renal function was abnormal in 34 patients (33.7%). Medical treatment was composed of analgesics, NSAIDs and antispasmodic representing 93.1%. Percutaneous nephrostomy was performed in 6.9%. Pyelolithotomy was the most frequently performed surgical procedure and was done in 11 patients that are 39.3%. Fifty seven patients (56.4%) got healed without sequelae; 6 cases (5.9%) of recurrence and 2 deaths (2%) were recorded. Conclusion: Renal colic is common in urology. Urinary lithiasis was the major cause in our series. Renal function could be endangered in case of late management.