Korean J Med.
2015 Nov;89(5):567-570. 10.3904/kjm.2015.89.5.567.
A Case of Incidentally Detected Asymptomatic Emphysematous Pyelonephritis
- Affiliations
-
- 1Department of Internal Medicine, Uijeongbu St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea. cmckyo@catholic.ac.kr
- KMID: 2268959
- DOI: http://doi.org/10.3904/kjm.2015.89.5.567
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.
