Bilateral emphysematous pyelonephritis cured by antibiotics alone: a case and literature review

Jpn J Infect Dis. 2009 May;62(3):206-8.

Abstract

Emphysematous pyelonephritis (EPN) is a rare but severe infectious disease. This disease sometimes presents bilaterally, making it difficult to cure. Diabetes mellitus is a common cofactor in this disease. Drainage or nephrectomy, often combined with antibiotics, is ordinarily used for treatment. To our knowledge, only 8 cases of bilateral EPN cured by antibiotics alone have been reported. We report the case of an 86-year-old woman with bilateral EPN cured by antibiotic therapy alone, thus avoiding surgery or drainage in a frail elderly patient.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Abdomen / pathology
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Bacteria, Anaerobic / isolation & purification
  • Bacterial Infections / diagnosis*
  • Bacterial Infections / diagnostic imaging
  • Bacterial Infections / drug therapy*
  • Emphysema / diagnosis*
  • Emphysema / diagnostic imaging
  • Emphysema / drug therapy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Pyelonephritis / diagnosis*
  • Pyelonephritis / diagnostic imaging
  • Pyelonephritis / drug therapy*
  • Radiography, Abdominal
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Urine / microbiology

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents