[Case of emphysematous cystitis with retention due to a inflammatory mucous flag of the bladder].

A 62-year-old man with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus under treatment in the department of internal medicine of our hospital presented with urinary retention. He was referred to our department, because it was impossible to conduct irrigation and catheter drainage after urethral catheterization. Computed tomographic scan showed abnormal air in his bladder and bladder wall. We diagnosed the patient with emphysematous cystitis, but we could not determine the reason for the failure of irrigation. By panendoscopy we found the inflammatory mucous flap in his urethra. This flap was thought to have caused the retention. Urinary catheter drainage is most important for the treatment of emphysematous cystitis. To our knowedge, this is the first report in Japan of a case in which catheter drainage was impossible.