Imaging the effects of diabetes on the genitourinary system

Diabetes mellitus is a common multisystemic disease with serious effects on the genitourinary system. In the radiology literature, little attention has been paid to developing an integral approach to imaging of the genitourinary tract in diabetes. The long-term effects of diabetes on the genitourinary system include diabetic nephropathy, papillary necrosis, renal artery stenosis, diabetic cystopathy, and vas deferens calcification. Diabetes-associated urinary tract infections include renal and perirenal abscesses, gas-forming infections such as emphysematous pyelonephritis and emphysematous cystitis, fungal infections, and xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis. Diabetes-associated genital infections include Fournier gangrene and postmenopausal tubo-ovarian abscess. In a diabetic with fever of unknown origin or in the event of a persistent infection in a diabetic with clinical deterioration despite use of antibiotics, radiologic studies can demonstrate the presence of genitourinary complications. Finally, radiologists should be aware of the risk of contrast material-induced nephropathy in diabetics.