A case of ureteral fungal mass removal in a patient taking empagliflozin

Abstract

With increased use of sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors as antidiabetic agents, the risk of serious fungal urinary tract infection (UTI) may be increased. We present the case of a 67-year-old Caucasian female who was admitted for emphysematous pyelitis and found to have a fungal ball in the renal pelvis. Candida glabrata was cultured and the patient was managed with percutaneous nephrostomy tube placement and antifungal treatment. The fungal ball persisted and required surgical removal with ureteroscopy and basket extraction. Fungal balls can be a difficult sequelae of UTIs requiring a combination of antifungal and surgical intervention for definitive management.