Acute Urinary Retention in Catatonia: An Illustrative Case Report and Literature Review.

BACKGROUND

Acute urinary retention (AUR) is a well-known urologic emergency with potentially catastrophic consequences, but is not typically thought of as a complication of catatonia. AUR is a urologic emergency that occurs when the patient is unable to pass urine voluntarily and is not in the The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition criteria for catatonia.

METHODS

The patient's AUR improved with treatment of the catatonia with benzodiazepine administration but did not improve with urologic interventions beyond temporary relief of the symptoms.

RESULTS

The authors provide a case report and review of the literature that suggests AUR in catatonia is either an underrecognized or underreported condition.

CONCLUSIONS

Thus, it is important to recognize that AUR can be caused by catatonia.