Episode Of Acute Pyelonephritis Research Articles

First episode of febrile urinary tractinfection in children, detection and risk factors of kidney scarring: Aprospective cohort study.

This prospective study aimed to evaluate the characteristics and findings of children who presented with acute pyelonephritis (APN) and to determine the independent risk factors for kidney scarring. Patients who satisfied the following criteria were enrolled in the study: first known episode of APN; at least two of the following findings: fever ≥ 38.5 °C, white blood cell count ≥ 10,000/mm3, erythrocyte sedimentation rate ≥ 20 mm/h, C-reactive protein ≥ 20 mg/dL; absence of congenital abnormalities or other kidney and systemic diseases, except vesicoureteral reflux (VUR); no APN relapses until the time of kidney scar detection. 99mTc-Dimercaptosuccinic acid kidney scintigraphy (99mTc-DMSA) was performed at admission, along with a kidney ultrasound. Follow-up 99mTc-DMSA took place after 6 months. Radiographic cystourethrography for VUR detection and grading was performed 1 month after the acute infection. We enrolled 70 children in the study. The kidney ultrasound failed to diagnose more than half of the cases of APN. VUR was found in 21.5% of children. 75% had findings of APN in the acute phase through 99mTc-DMSA, while in the second 99mTc-DMSA, there was a complete remission in 68% of them. Scars were observed more frequently in older children, children with VUR grade ≥ III, and children not on antibiotic prophylaxis. VUR did not appear to be associated with the first episode of APN, and children older than 1 year of age had a higher risk of scarring. Antibiotic prophylaxis may prevent kidney scarring due to host immunomodulatory effects, but more studies are needed so that conclusions can be drawn.

Micropercutaneous Laser Lithotripsy: How to Improve Stone Free Rate

Introduction: Micropercutaneous Nephrolithotomy is a novel technique with the creation of a 4.85-8F working channel. The advantage of micro-PCNL is the possibility of kidney puncture under direct endoscopic control. Materials and Methods: 99 patients aged 47,3 ± 16.9 years were included in the study. 78 patients had isolated kidney stones (78.8%). The stone size ranged from 8 to 38 mm (13.9 ± 5.4 mm). Group A included stones smaller than 15 mm (57 patients, 57,6%) and Group B included stones larger than 15 mm (42 patients, 42,4%). A 4.85 F percutaneous sheath was used in 38 (38,4%) patients, 8 F sheath was used in 61 (61,6%) patients. A holmium laser for lithotripsy was used in 46.5% cases, the thulium fiber laser in 53.5%. Results: The average surgery time was 39,9 ± 13.7 min (from 13 to 75 min). A stone-free rate (SFR) for patients of both groups was 88.8%. A Double-J stent was placed in 39 (39.4%) patients. In one case conversion to the mini-PCNL was done. In four cases (4%) retrograde stone manipulations were performed through ureteral access sheath. 5 (5.1%) patients required the second micro-PCNL tract. 3 (3%) patients required stenting postoperatively. In 7.1% of cases the episode of acute pyelonephritis developed. In 7 cases (7,1%), Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy was required due to residual stones. Conclusions: We recommend using the laser micro-PCNL for the category of patients with severe comorbidities, including coagulopathy. The micro-PCNL could be safely performed in patients with kidney stones larger than 1.5 cm.

Association of acute pyelonephritis with double-J ureteral stenting: a nationwide population-based case control study

Objective Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) due to ureteral catheters has been frequently seen. The risk factors of this include both timing and those of the female gender. However, the association of Acute Pyelonephritis (APN) with use of ureteral DJ stents has rarely been investigated. Materials and Methods: This study enrolled a total of 6,459 patients who were being treated with a ureteral catheter over a 10 year period from the nationwide database of Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Bureau. From these subjects, episodes of APN were found in a total of 500 patients. Additionally, 2,000 patients without APN were randomly enrolled as a control group in order to analyze the associated factors. Results The results indicate that the percentage of those with regards gender, age, duration of implantation, ureteral stent type, hypertension, T2DM, presence of urinary tract infection, benign prostate hyperplasia and pregnancy status were significantly statistically higher in APN patients than non-APN patients. APN did not associate with the use of antibiotics, urolithiasis, chronic kidney disease, malignancy, or uric acid stone in patients with a ureteral catheter. Conclusion: In conclusion, patients with a ureteral catheter associated with APN should be given close attention with regards to the above risk factors. Early removal of the catheter is the best policy for the prevention of APN.

Semiquantitative analysis of power doppler ultrasonography versus Tc-99m DMSA scintigraphy in diagnostic and severity assessment of acute childhood pyelonephritis.

BackgroundThis study aimed to compare the diagnostic and predictive value of power Doppler ultrasonography (PDU) with Tc-99m dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) renal scintigraphy in pediatric acute pyelonephritis (APN) using a semiquantitative analysis system.MethodsA total of 92 children and infants (184 kidneys) were hospitalized with possible APN. All children were examined by PDU and DMSA scintigraphy within 72 hours of admission. An empiric 9-point semiquantitative analysis system was used to sort kidneys into four grades (grade 0–III). Patients with several episodes of APN and congenital structural anomalies were excluded.ResultsOf 184 kidneys, we found 68 abnormal (grade I–III) and 116 normal (Grade 0) with DMSA scintigraphy, and 84 abnormal and 100 normal with PDU. In all, 23 kidneys were shown to be diseased by PDU but normal on DMSA scintigraphy while 7 kidneys showed the opposite trend. The sensitivity and specificity of PDU for diagnosing APN was 89.7% and 80.2%, respectively (P<0.05). In children older than 6 months, the sensitivity was higher (92%, P<0.05) than that in children younger than 6 months (87%, P<0.05). A moderate agreement (41%, P<0.05) on grade was found between the two methods.ConclusionsWith the help of a semiquantitative analysis system, PDU can obviate the use of DMSA scintigraphy in children older than 6 months for APN diagnosis.

Urinary tract infection in children

Urinary tract infections are considered to be one of the most common bacterial infection in children. In 30 % of children with anomalies of urinary tract , urinary tract infection (UTI) can be the first sign. UTIs are classified according to site, symptoms or episode. E. coli is responsible for 80-90 % of acute pyelonephritis episodes. Symptoms include fever, dysuria, tenderness in the lower abdomen are typical for older children, whereas for younger are non-specific. Diagnosis is based on clinical symptoms, abnormal urine analysis and growth on urine culture. Urine culture is still a gold standard for diagnosing urinary tract infections. Antibiotics are usually effective, although antibiotics resistance is still an increasing problem.

1524. Presentation of Acute Focal Bacterial Nephritis in Children

BackgroundAscending infections are thought as the main route of infection in acute pyelonephritis (APN). However, among patients diagnosed with APN, a subset has atypical presentation unexplainable by ascending routes of infections. This study aimed to review 8 cases initially diagnosed as APN, however presenting with no or minimal pyuria and presenting as acute focal bacterial nephritis (AFBN).MethodsThis was a retrospective cohort study of children <18 years old without underlying diseases, treated for their first episode of APN during 2006 and 2016. Those that fit the following inclusion criteria were diagnosed as AFBN: (1) characteristic CT findings compatible AFBS, (2) atypical presentation of APN including lack of urinary symptoms, and (3) no antibiotic administration prior to urine culture. Electronic medical records were analyzed, and radiologic images re-evaluated.ResultsDuring the 11-year period, of the total of 359 patients were diagnosed with the first episode of APN. Of these, 8 were re-diagnosed as AFBN. The mean age was 9.8 years old (1.9–17.4). Abdominal pain with nausea and vomiting were chief complaints (62.5%), and none had urinary symptoms including dysuria, incontinence, or increased frequency. Initial urinalysis in all the patients showed WBC <10–19 hpf, and were negative for nitrite. High initial WBC and CRP levels were observed (median 17.892 × 103/mm3 and 13.1 mg/dL, respectively). Cultures were positive for E. coli in 3 cases. CT findings showed nephromegaly with multifocal wedge-shaped heterogeneous enhancement defects corresponding to blood supply patterns of renal segmental arteries, no hydronephrosis, and no inflammation in the pelviureteric calyceal system. A mean duration of fever was 6.6 days, and time to defervescence after initiation of antibiotics was an average of 3 days.ConclusionLack of urinary symptoms, insignificant pyuria, and CT findings of AFBN support the possibility of an alternative route of infection, other than the ascending route.Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

The role of 99mTc dimercaptosuccinic acid scintigraphy in detection of vesicoureteral reflux in pediatrics with first episode of acute pyelonephritis

Introduction: Acute pyelonephritis is a common disease in children leading to permanent renal function impairment due to renal scarring with the risk of later hypertension. Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the role of initial 99mTc dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) scintigraphy for detecting the early renal parenchymal damage in children with the first episode of acute pyelonephritis (APN). Patients and Methods: This study was conducted among 161 hospitalized children with the first clinically episode of APN from January 2008 to April 2013 in pediatric clinical research of development center in Qom, Iran. DMSA renal scintigraphy, ultrasonography (US), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), urine analysis and culture were performed in all patients. DMSA renal scan and voiding cystourethrogram(VCUG) was done within 15 days and one month after the diagnosis of APN using the standard protocol, respectively. Results: Children with the first episode of acute pyelonephritis aged 1 month to 12 years were enrolled in this study. There were no statistically significant correlations between initial decreased uptake detected by DMSA renal scan with age, gender, body temperature, CRP levels or ESR. The positive and negative predictive values (PPV, NPV) of diminished uptake on DMSA renal scans for detecting the presence of VUR on VCUG were (43.2%) and (93.3%), respectively. Conclusion: Children with a normal DMSA renal scan during their the first episode of UTI rarely have VUR. Avoidance of VCUG in children with negative DMSA renal scans could significantly eliminate the use of this potentially traumatic test.

A Cohort Study of Risk Factors That Influence Empirical Treatment of Patients with Acute Pyelonephritis.

The aim of the current study was to compare community-acquired acute pyelonephritis (CA-APN) with health care-associated acute pyelonephritis (HCA-APN), describe the outcomes, and identify variables that could predict antimicrobial susceptibility. We conducted an observational study that included all consecutive episodes of acute pyelonephritis (APN) in adults during 2014 at a Spanish university hospital. From each episode, demographic data, comorbidities, clinical presentation, microbiological data, antimicrobial therapy, and outcome were recorded. A multivariable logistic regression model was performed to define the variables associated with antimicrobial resistance. A total of 607 patients, 503 (82.9%) with CA-APN and 104 (17.1%) with HCA-APN, were included in the study. Patients with HCA-APN were older than patients with CA-APN (70.4 versus 50.6 years; P < 0.001) and had higher rates of previous urinary tract infections (UTIs) (56.5% versus 24.5%; P < 0.001) and previous antibiotic use (56.8% versus 22.8%; P < 0.001). Escherichia coli was more frequently isolated from patients with CA-APN than from patients with HCA-APN (79.9% versus 50.5%; P < 0.001). The rates of resistance of Escherichia coli strains from CA-APN patients versus HCA-APN patients were as follows: amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, 22.4% versus 53.2% (P = 0.001); cefuroxime, 7.7% versus 43.5% (P = 0.001); cefotaxime, 4.3% versus 32.6% (P < 0.001); ciprofloxacin, 22.8% versus 74.5% (P < 0.001); and co-trimoxazole, 34.5% versus 58.7% (P = 0.003). The site of acquisition, recurrent UTIs, and previous antibiotic use were independent risk factors for antimicrobial resistance. Relapse rates were significantly higher when definitive antimicrobial treatment was not adequate (37.1% versus 9.3% when definitive antimicrobial treatment was adequate; P < 0.001). Our study reflects the rise of resistance to commonly used antibiotics in acute pyelonephritis. In order to choose the adequate empirical antibiotic therapy, risk factors for resistance should be considered.

Electrolyte and Acid-Base Abnormalities in Infants with Community-Acquired Acute Pyelonephritis: Prospective Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Retrospective case series suggest that abnormalities in fluid, electrolyte, and acid-base homeostasis may occur among infants with a febrile urinary tract infection. Potentially inaccurate laboratory methods of sodium testing have often been used. Methods: Between January 2009 and June 2016, we managed 80 previously healthy infants (52 males and 28 females) ≥4 weeks to ≤24 months of age with their first episode of acute pyelonephritis. Ionized sodium, ionized potassium and ionized chloride were determined by direct potentiometry, as recommended by the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry. Bicarbonate was calculated from pH and carbon dioxide pressure. Results: Electrolyte or acid-base abnormalities were disclosed in 59 (74%) of the 80 infants: hyponatremia (n = 54), hypobicarbonatemia (n = 18), hyperkalemia (n = 14), hyperbicarbonatemia (n = 6), hypochloremia (n = 3), hypokalemia (n = 3), and hyperchloremia (n = 1). None of the patients was found to be hypernatremic. Patients with and without electrolyte or acid-base abnormalities did not differ with respect to age, sex distribution, and whole blood glucose. Blood tonicity was lower and poor fluid intake, frequent regurgitations or loose stools more common among infants with electrolyte or acid-base abnormalities. Conclusions: This prospective cross-sectional study shows that electrolyte or acid-base abnormalities, most frequently hyponatremia, occur in approximately 3 quarters of infants with acute pyelonephritis.

Renal scarring in children under 36 months hospitalised for acute pyelonephritis

Abstract Introduction Acute pyelonephritis (APN) is one of the most common causes of serious bacterial infection in infants. Renal scarring is the most prevalent long-term complication. Objectives To review the incidence of renal scarring within 6 months after an episode of APN in children under 36 months and its relationship with imaging studies, clinical settings, and bacteriology. Method A retrospective study of previously healthy patients aged one to 36 months, admitted for a first episode of APN, with a minimum follow-up of 6 months. Demographic and clinical variables were collected along with bacteriology, renal and bladder ultrasound scan, voiding cystourethrography, DMSA-scintigraphy, and re-infection events. Results A total of 125 patients were included in the study, of which 60% were male, the large majority (92%) febrile, and due to Escherichia coli (74.6%). There was a history of prenatal ultrasound scan changes in 15.4%. Ultrasound scan found dilation of the urinary tract in 22.1%. Voiding cystourethrography was performed on 70 patients: 54.3% no abnormalities, 12.8% vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) grade i - iii , and 32.9% iv - v grade VUR. Six patients had iv - v grade VUR with a normal ultrasound scan. Adherence to DMSA-scintigraphy at 6 months was only 61% of that indicated. Renal scarring was found in 44.3% of those in which it was performed (60 cases). Conclusions Almost half (44%) DMSA-scintigraphy in children aged one to 36 months hospitalised for APN show renal scarring at 6 months, which was found to be associated with the re-infection events and the iv - v grade VUR. There was no relationship between scarring and the bacteriology or the elevations of inflammatory biochemical markers.

Should Asymptomatic Bacteriuria Be Systematically Treated in Kidney Transplant Recipients? Results From a Randomized Controlled Trial.

The indication for antimicrobial treatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria (AB) after kidney transplantation (KT) remains controversial. Between January 2011 and December 2013, 112 KT recipients that developed one episode or more of AB beyond the second month after transplantation were included in this open-label trial. Participants were randomized (1:1 ratio) to the treatment group (systematic antimicrobial therapy for all episodes of AB occurring ≤24 mo after transplantation [53 patients]) or control group (no antimicrobial therapy [59 patients]). Systematic screening for AB was performed similarly in both groups. The primary outcome was the occurrence of acute pyelonephritis at 24-mo follow-up. Secondary outcomes included lower urinary tract infection, acute rejection, Clostridium difficile infection, colonization or infection by multidrug-resistant bacteria, graft function and all-cause mortality. There were no differences in the primary outcome in the intention-to-treat population (7.5% [4 of 53] in the treatment group vs. 8.4% [5 of 59] in the control group; odds ratio [OR] 0.88, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.22-3.47) or the per-protocol population (3.8% [1 of 26] in the treatment group vs. 8.0% [4 of 50] in the control group; OR 0.46, 95% CI 0.05-4.34). Moreover, we found no differences in any of the secondary outcomes. In conclusion, systematic screening and treatment of AB beyond the second month after transplantation provided no apparent benefit among KT recipients (NCT02373085).

Renal dysfunction following ileal conduit urinary diversions after radical cystectomy: a five year follow-up study

Background: Ileal conduit (IC) is the most commonly performed urinary diversions (UD) contributing 33-72 % of all types of UD with. Ileal conduits are relatively easy and quick to create, with a low rate of surgical complications. However, there is an incidence of renal deterioration was comparatively high following radical cystectomy, irrespective of the type of UD. To this purpose, we evaluated the post-operative renal function and non-surgical risk factors for loss of renal function in patients who underwent radical cystectomy with ICUD. Methods: In this retrospective single institutional study, we evaluated risk factors for loss of renal function in 45 patients who had undergone radical cystectomy with ileal conduit as the sole form of urinary diversion. Renal function was calculated based on e-GFR. Analysed risk factors were age, gender, hypertension, diabetes, preoperative renal function, the post-operative occurrence of acute pyelonephritis and chemotherapy. Results: There were 30 males and 15 female patients; the median follow-up was 36 months (3-90 months). The mean e-GFR before surgery was 74.2 (22.7-143.7) ml/min/1.73 m 2 , and it was 58.6 (8.2-140.9) ml/min/1.73 m 2 after surgery, at last, follow up. Five-year renal deterioration free interval was 63.8%. Multivariate analysis showed that post-operative occurrence of acute pyelonephritis (p=0.0003) and treatment with chemotherapy (p <0.000) were significant risk factors for loss of renal function. Conclusions: In our study, 13/45 (28.8%) patients demonstrated a reduction in renal function during the follow-up period. Postoperative episodes of acute pyelonephritis and treatment with chemotherapy were found to be significant risk factors.

Extended Ureteral Stricture Corrected With Appendiceal Replacement in a Kidney Transplant Recipient

To present our technique of ureteral replacement with an appendicovesicostomy for the treatment of extended ureteral stricture after kidney transplantation. Ureteral stricture represents a urologic complication that may cause progressive function impairment and graft loss. Symptomatic ureteral stenosis is generally treated with a percutaneous nephrostomy and ureteral stenting. This approach may be initially effective, but often does not offer a long-term solution. A 48-year-old Caucasian man underwent kidney transplantation from a heart-beating deceased donor. The graft was transplanted to the right iliac fossa. Ureterovesical anastomosis was performed following the Lich-Gregoir technique. The postoperative period and follow-up were uneventful. Six months later the patient experienced an episode of acute pyelonephritis with hydronephrosis. A percutaneous nephrostomy was inserted, and an anterograde pyelography confirmed proximal dilatation with severe distal stenosis involving the entire ureter including the ureterovesical anastomosis. A 9 French Double-J stent was inserted antegradely and the patient was prepared for surgery. We decided therefore to use the appendix as a conduit between the proximal transplant ureter and the bladder It was interposed with an isoperistaltic orientation and anastomosed to the ureter proximally and to the bladder distally (Lich-Gregoir reimplantation) using interrupted absorbable 5/0 sutures over a 10-Fr Double-J stent. The urethral catheter was removed on day 9 postoperatively and the patient was discharged with normal parameters. At 1 year follow-up the patient remains well. The positive outcome confirms how the use of appendix as ureteral replacement is feasible and effective, allowing the salvage of the renal allograft.

Long-term changes in renal function outcomes following radical cystectomy and urinary diversion

We analyzed long-term changes in the renal function of patients undergoing radical cystectomy and urinary diversion (UD). This study included 169 patients who underwent radical cystectomy and UD (42, cutaneous ureterostomy; 40, ileal conduit; 87, neobladder substitution), and were followed for at least 60 months (median 106 months). Renal deterioration was defined as a >25 % decrease in the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) relative to that prior to surgery. We determined the associations between several parameters and postoperative renal deterioration. Despite the significantly younger age and more favorable renal function of patients with neobladder substitution than of those with other types of UD, no significant differences were observed in the remaining preoperative clinical parameters among the three different UD groups. The mean eGFR of the 169 patients decreased from 69.6 to 55.9 mL/min/1.73 m(2), and renal deterioration was observed in 24 (57.1 %), 20 (50.0 %) and 34 (39.0 %) patients in the cutaneous ureterostomy, ileal conduit and neobladder substitution groups, respectively. Multivariate analysis of several parameters identified the presence of baseline hypertension and an episode of acute pyelonephritis, but not the type of UD, as significant predictors of postoperative renal deterioration. The incidence of renal deterioration was comparatively high following radical cystectomy, irrespective of the type of UD. Special attention should be paid to the long-term preservation of renal function in these patients, particularly those with hypertension and/or episodes of acute pyelonephritis.

Management of a 25-day-old Male Presenting with a First Episode of Acute Pyelonephritis, and Persistent Hyperkalemia with Normal Serum Aldosterone

Hyperkalemia is often detected in young infants, particularly in association with acute pyelonephritis or a urinary tract anomaly. Cases of hyperkalemia in this population may also be due to transient pseudohypoaldosteronism, or immaturity of renal tubules in handling potassium excretion. Symptoms of hyperkalemia are nonspecific, but are predominantly related to skeletal or cardiac muscle dysfunction, and can be fatal. Therefore, treatment has to be initiated immediately. Administration of fludrocortisone for hyperkalemia is appropriate in cases with hypoaldosteronism, but is challenging in young infants with hyperkalemia due to renal tubular immaturity, without pseudohypoaldosteronism. We report the case of a 25-day-old male presenting with persistent hyperkalemia with normal serum aldosterone, who was admitted with a first episode of pyelonephritis and unilateral high-grade vesicoureteral reflux. The patient was treated successfully with fludrocortisone.

Long-term renal function outcomes in bladder cancer after radical cystectomy.

To evaluate postoperative renal function and risk factors for the loss of renal function in patients who had undergone radical cystectomy. A retrospective single institutional study evaluated 70 patients, including 54 men and 16 women who underwent radical cystectomy. The median follow-up period was 34.5 months (range, 12 to 228 months). In this cohort, four types of urinary diversions were studied, including ileal neobladder (n = 24), ileocecal neobladder (n = 12), ileal conduit (n = 25), and cutaneous ureterostomy (n = 9). Postoperative changes in renal function were reviewed, and the estimated serum creatinine-based glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated. The variables analyzed were age, a prior history of hypertension or diabetes mellitus, pre-operative renal function, type of urinary diversion, the postoperative occurrence of acute pyelonephritis, and the presence of chemotherapy. The mean eGFR was 74.6 (range, 15.2 to 155.1) mL/min/1.73 m² before surgery and 63.6 (range, 8.7 to 111.5) mL/min/1.73 m² at the last follow-up. The 10-year renal deterioration-free interval was 63.8%. Multivariate analysis showed that a postoperative episode of acute pyelonephritis [Odds Ratio (OR), 3.21; 95% Confidence Interval (CI), 1.14 to 9.02; P = .03] and the presence of chemotherapy (OR, 3.27; 95% CI, 1.33 to 8.01; P = .01) were significant adverse factors. Twenty-four (34.2%) patients demonstrated reduced renal function during the follow-up period. Postoperative episodes of acute pyelonephritis and the presence of chemotherapy were found to be significant adverse factors.

Randomized trial of oral versus sequential intravenous/oral antibiotic for acute pyelonephritis in children

ObjectiveTo confirm whether oral antibiotic treatment is as efficacious as sequential intravenous/oral antibiotic treatment in the prevention of renal scarring in children with acute pyelonephritis and scintigraphy-documented acute lesions.MethodsIn a prospective multicenter trial of non inferiority, children aged 1 to 36 months with their first case of acute pyelonephritis, a serum procalcitonin concentration ≥ 0.5 ng/mL, no known uropathy, and a normal ultrasound exam were randomized into two treatment groups. They received either oral cefixime for 10 days or intravenous ceftriaxone for 4 days followed by oral cefixime for 6 days. Patients with acute renal lesions detected on early dimercaptosuccinic acid scintigraphy underwent a follow-up scintigraphy 6 to 8 months later.ResultsThe study included 171 infants and children. There were no significant differences between the two groups in any clinical characteristic. Initial scintigraphy results were abnormal for 119 children. Ninety-six children were measured for renal scarring at the follow-up scintigraphy (per protocol analysis population). The incidence of renal scarring was 30.8% in the oral treatment group and 27.3% for children who received the sequential treatment.ConclusionsAlthough this trial does not statistically demonstrate the non-inferiority of oral treatment compared with the sequential treatment, our study confirmed the results of previously published reports and therefore supports the use of an oral antibiotic treatment of primary episodes of acute pyelonephritis in infants and young children.

Adrenal ganglioneuroma

Adrenal incidentalomas (AI) are unsuspected adrenal masses discovered during investigation of unrelated diseases, and are increasing in frequency. The majority of the AI is non-secretory adenomas, although it can also represent primary or metastatic malignant neoplasia. However, less frequent diseases should not be forgotten in the differential diagnosis. We describe a case of a young woman with an adrenal mass without clinical or laboratorial signs of hormonal hyperfunction. Diagnosis was performed after an episode of acute pyelonephritis in which the imaging study was carried out in order to exclude local complications. During the surgical procedure, the fish flesh aspect of the mass raised the suspicion of a neurogenic tumor, which was diagnosed in the histophatological analysis. The patient presented the most common manifestation of adrenal ganglioneuroma, an incidentaloma.

Una lesión en el cintigrama renal DMSA 6 meses post fase aguda de una pielonefritis representa siempre una cicatriz: un debate abierto

Abnormal Dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) renal scintigraphy performed six months after an acute pyelonephritis (AP) is generally interpreted as scarring. To perform a follow up of childhood patients showing scintigraphic renal lesions during the acute phase of pyelonephritis (within 7 days from the beginning of fever). A scintigraphic control was carried out at 5-7 months and, in case of persistent lesions, an additional late scintigraphy at 10-13 months. All patients were followed clinically for one year and those with a relapse of urinary tract infection were excluded from the study. Eighty five patients with a median age of 8 months were included. Among these, the first scintigraphic control was normal in 59 (69%) and abnormal in 26 patients (31%). In five of these 26 patients (5/26:19%-5/85: 6%), a considerable regression of the lesions was obvious on the early control, and normalized completely on the late control. When expressing the results in kidney units, 107 showed lesions during the acute phase of infection; 69% was normal at the early control. Thirty three showed lesions persisting at the early control (31%) and 7 out of these 33 (21%) became normal on the late control (7/107: 7%). In total, 25% of the children included in the study (24% of the kidney units) remained with renal sequelae one year after the initial episode of AP. The persistence of scintigraphic lesions six months after an episode of AP, does not necessarily correspond to permanent scars, since normalization can sometimes be observed on late controls.

Interleukin-6 and interleukin-8 levels in the urine of children with renal scarring

Acute pyelonephritis (APN) is one of the most significant bacterial infections in infancy and early childhood, and can lead to permanent kidney damage and chronic renal failure. To evaluate interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) levels in the urine of children with renal scarring (RS), searching for clinical information about the immuno-inflammatory process that contributes to RS. Urine concentrations of IL-6 and IL-8 were evaluated in 50 children, 33 with RS detected after an episode of acute pyelonephritis (group A) and 17 children with a history of acute pyelonephritis, but without RS (group B). These children were divided into four groups: group A(1), 23 children with RS and vesicoureteral reflux (VUR); group A(2), 10 children with RS without VUR; group B(1), 13 children without RS and without VUR; group B(2), 4 children without RS, but with VUR. None of them had had urinary tract infection for a minimum of 6 months. To avoid dilution effects, urinary levels of IL-6 and IL-8 were expressed as the ratio of cytokine to urinary creatinine (pg/mg). Urinary IL-8 levels were below the lower detection limit in all samples. IL-6 was detectable in the majority of children with RS and below the detection limits in the urine samples of children without RS. There were no statistically significant differences between urinary interleukin-6 levels in children with and those without VUR. There was a significant relationship between the grade of renal scars, the time passed since the last episode of acute pyelonephritis and the urinary levels of IL-6 (p < 0.0001 and p < 0.04 respectively). Further experimental studies are required to demonstrate the correlation between histopathology and urinary cytokine levels.