A Case of Incidentally Detected Asymptomatic Emphysematous Pyelonephritis.
10.3904/kjm.2015.89.5.567
- Author:
Hyeon Jung LEE
1
;
Sae Bom SHIN
;
Se Eun GO
;
Ju Hyun SEO
;
Deok Jae HAN
;
Hyeong Jun CHO
;
Young Ok KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Internal Medicine, Uijeongbu St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea. cmckyo@catholic.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
Emphysematous pyelonephritis;
Asymptomatic pyuria;
Diabetes mellitus
- MeSH:
Anti-Bacterial Agents;
Chills;
Diabetes Mellitus;
Diagnosis;
Drainage;
Female;
Fever;
Flank Pain;
Follow-Up Studies;
Humans;
Kidney;
Middle Aged;
Pleural Effusion;
Pyelonephritis*;
Thorax;
Tomography, X-Ray Computed;
Urinary Tract Infections
- From:Korean Journal of Medicine
2015;89(5):567-570
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Emphysematous pyelonephritis (EPN) is a severe gas-forming infection of the renal parenchyma and surrounding tissues. Patients with EPN commonly present with high fever, chills, and flank pain. These symptoms mimic a simple urinary tract infection, such that diagnosis is often delayed. Because of its life-threatening fulminant course, the early detection of EPN and its prompt treatment with intravenous antibiotics with or without percutaneous drainage are critical. Here we describe a case of a 63-year-old Korean female with diabetes mellitus who had no specific symptoms or signs of EPN. A chest computed tomography (CT) scan to assess a right pleural effusion incidentally detected an abnormal gas shadow in the renal parenchyma. An abdominal CT scan performed 5 days later showed increased gas within the kidney parenchyma, but the patient still had no symptoms of EPN. She was treated with intravenous antibiotics alone. A follow-up abdominal CT scan revealed the complete disappearance of the features of EPN.
