Korean J Nephrol.
2011 Jan;30(1):112-115.
A Case of Emphysematous Pyelonephritis Complicated with Septic Pulmonary Embolism
- Affiliations
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- 1Divison of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Busan, Korea. sey02200@paran.com
Abstract
- Emphysematous pyelonephritis is an unusual, severe gas-forming infection of renal parenchyma and its surrounding areas. It is a rare cause of septic pulmonary embolism. We report on a case of emphysematous pyelonephritis complicated with renal vein thrombosis and septic pulmonary embolism with review of the literature. A 51-year-old diabetic woman was admitted to our hospital with symptoms of fever, diffuse abdominal pain and nausea. Her initial laboratory findings showed pyuria and leukocytosis. She was diagnosed with acute pyelonephritis with abscess formation on contrast enhanced abdominal CT. She was treated with antibiotics and percutaneous abscess aspiration, but progressed to emphysematous pyelonephritis complicated with renal vein thrombosis and septic pulmonary embolism. Finally she underwent the left total nephrectomy.
