Emphysematous pyelonephritis (EPN) is a severe necrotizing kidney infection characterized by gas formation. While EPN is recognized in native kidneys and occasionally in functional renal allografts, its occurrence in nonfunctional allografts is extremely rare.We present a case of EPN in a 38-year-old female with a history of renal transplantation who developed EPN in a nonfunctional graft 1 year after returning to hemodialysis.The patient initially demonstrated excellent graft function posttransplant but later developed chronic antibody-mediated rejection and calcineurin inhibitor toxicity, which led to graft failure and resumption of hemodialysis. One year later, she presented with fever and graft site tenderness. Imaging revealed stage 3 EPN in the allograft. Empirical broad-spectrum antibiotics and percutaneous drainage were initiated, followed by graft nephrectomy due to persistent fever spikes. This case highlights the occurrence of EPN in a nonfunctional graft, even after cessation of immunosuppression. The presence of a nonfunctioning graft with impaired blood supply may have provided a nidus for infection. It underscores the importance of considering nephrectomy as a primary therapeutic approach in such cases. This case also emphasizes the need for heightened clinical suspicion and prompt intervention in transplant recipients with suspected EPN, even in the absence of a functioning graft.

Background: Older patients are particularly vulnerable to age-related respiratory changes. This prospective randomized controlled trial studied the effects of high and low fractions of inspired oxygen (FiO2) with the recruitment maneuver (RM) during extubation on lung atelectasis postoperatively in older patients undergoing major abdominal surgery. Methods: We randomized a total of 126 patients aged >60 years who underwent both elective and emergency major abdominal surgeries and met the inclusion criteria into three groups (H, HR, and LR) using computer-generated block randomization. Group H received high FiO2 (1), Group HR received high FiO2 (1) with RM followed by a positive end-expiratory pressure of 5 cm H2O, and Group LR received low FiO2 (0.4) with RM followed by a positive end-expiratory pressure of 5 cm H2O 10 minutes before extubation. Oxygenation and atelectasis were measured using the arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2)/FiO2 ratios and lung ultrasound score. Postoperative pulmonary complications were recorded up to 24 hours postoperatively. Results: The mean PaO2/FiO2 at 30 minutes post-extubation was significantly higher in Groups LR and HR compared to that in Group H (390.71±29.55, 381.97±24.97, and 355.37±31.70; p<0.001). In the immediate postoperative period, the median lung ultrasound score was higher in Group H than that in Groups LR and HR (6 [5–7], 3 [3–5], and 3.5 [2.25–4.75]; p<0.001). The incidence of oxygen desaturation and oxygen requirements was higher in Group H during the postoperative period. Conclusion The RM before extubation is beneficial in reducing atelectasis and postoperative pulmonary complications, irrespective of the FiO2 concentration used in older adults undergoing major abdominal surgeries. (Trail registration number: Reference No. CTRI/2022/04/042115; date of CTRI registration 25/02/2022; and date of enrolment of the first research participant 05/05/2022)