UCLA Radiological Sciences Proceedings

Ketamine in subanesthetic doses became popular as a recreational drug for its strong, quickly achievable antidepressant effect and short-acting, well-tolerated psychotomimetic (hallucinogenic and dissociative) effect. Numerous cases of genitourinary system dysfunction associated with ketamine use have been reported. We describe a case of ketamine-use-related symptoms of genitourinary system dysfunction in a 23-year-old man who was found to have acute cystitis and a history of using ketamine. We also discuss the epidemiology, the clinical presentation, and some aspects of treatment of ketamine-associated urinary tract dysfunction. In patients with lower urinary tract symptoms of uropathy and a history of ketamine use, the possibility of ketamine-induced uropathy should be included in the differential diagnosis. Further studies are necessary to help delineate guidelines for both diagnosis and management of ketamine-induced lower urinary tract dysfunction.