Four cases of emphysematous pyelonephritis are reported and the pathogenesis, surgical implications and preferred mode of management are discussed. We have not found percutaneous drainage to be useful, but feel there is an important place for surgical drainage alone because of the potential for renal recovery and the risks of emergency nephrectomy.
Eight cases of xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis occurring in an oriental population are reported. The patients were mostly middle-aged, and there was a female preponderence. Nephrectomy controlled the disease in all cases. Diagnosis on clinical and radiological grounds is difficult, and it is often only made on pathological examination of the kidney after nephrectomy. The nature of the disease remains obscure.
We present an interesting and rare case of a diabetic patient who developed extensive unilateral emphysematous pyelonephritis (EPN) which was caused by fungal infection. The diagnosis was confirmed on computed tomography (CT) scan of the abdomen. Repeated urine cultures grew Candida albicans but no other organisms were isolated. The patient remained febrile and unwell despite parenteral broad spectrum antibiotics and antifungal treatment. She underwent nephrectomy and then made a good clinical recovery.