A Rare Case of Asymptomatic Emphysematous Pyelonephritis

Yeung Amh

doi:10.26717/bjstr.2019.20.003456

Abstract

Emphysematous urinary tract infection is a rare spectrum of disease which can potentially run a fulminant course ending in severe morbidity or even mortality.

Highlights

Emphysematous urinary tract infection is a rare spectrum of disease which can potentially run a fulminant course ending in severe morbidity or even mortality
Usual presentation of emphysematous pyelonephritis is similar to those of pyelonephritis, including fever, chills, loin pain. This rare condition was incidentally diagnosed during a regular plain radiograph for follow up of the patient’s stone disease, which was subsequently confirmed with non-contrast Computed Tomography (CT)
Plain CT prior to reconstruction surgery showed gaseous collection in bilateral collection system down to urinary bladder, which was more severe on the right side, and bilateral non-obstructing renal stones but no ureteric stones (Figures 1-3)