Antibiotics in Renal Colic

Report By: Helen Blackhurst - Clinical Fellow (Medicine)
Search checked by Suzan Oakley - Staff Grade (Emergency Medicine)
Institution: Royal Glamorgan Hospital
Date Submitted: 9th May 2004
Last Modified: 11th May 2004
Status: Blue (submitted but not checked)

Three Part Question

In [renal colic] is [a raised white cell count] an [indication for antibiotic therapy]?

Clinical Scenario

A 34 year old male presents to the Emergency Department with right flank pain. A clinical diagnosis of renal colic is made. An hour later his white cell count is found to be 22x10(9)/l. You wonder if this is an indication for antibiotic therapy.

Search Strategy

Medline 1966 - 01/03/2003 using the OVID interface
[{kidney.mp OR renal.mp}] AND {exp kidney calculi OR exp urinary calculi OR exp colic} AND {exp antibiotics OR white cell count.mp}
LIMIT to human AND English.

Search Outcome

62 papers were found of which none were relevant.

Comment(s)

None

Clinical Bottom Line

There was no evidence to support treating a raised white cell count with antibiotics in renal colic. The best approach may be to give antibiotic therapy based on clinical evidence of sepsis.