Percutaneous Nephrostomy Combined with Antifungal Agent Therapy for Both Hydronephrosis and Obstructive Uropathy in VLBW Infant

With increasing survival of smaller, more immunocompromised preterm infants, the incidence of invasive fungal infection is increasing among NICU patients, with highly associated morbidity and mortality. The most common site of end organ dissemination in premature infants with fungemia is the renal system. Renal fungal infection is followed by acute pyelonephritis and renal cortical abscess, and leads to obstructive nephropathy and renal failure. We recently experienced a case of VLBW infant who was dignosed as both hydronephrosis and obstructive uropathy due to Candida albicans that was treated intravenous amphotericin B combined with direct daily irrigation into the renal pelvis via percutaneous nephrostomy catheter.

Successful Long Term Antifungal Agent Therapy for Renal Candidiasis without Surgical Drainage in a Very Low Birth Weight Infant

Improved survival rate of premature infants requiring intensive care lead into an increased risk for nosocomial infections such as disseminated fungal infection. Neonatal candida sepsis has become one of the most important causes of neonatal morbidity and mortality. The most common site of end organ involvement in premature infants with candidemia is the kidney. But no consensus has been reached concerning the treatment of candidemia in the newborn. We recently experienced a case of premature infant who was diagnosed as renal candidiasis with microabscess formation due to Candida Albicans and patient was treated successfully with long term liposomal amphotericin B and fluconazole therapy without surgical drainage.

A Case of Obstructive Renal Cndidiasis Treated with Percutaneous Nephrostomy in Prematurity

The improved survival rate of premature infants requiring intensive care, shows an increased risk for nosocomial infections such as disseminated fungal infection. Renal candidasis usually occurs secondary to systemic disease, and can Iead to obstructive uropathy by fungus ball. A male neonate was born in week 28 of the gestational period. His birth weight was 1200gm. He required mechanical ventilation and surfactant for respiratory distress syndrome, umbilical artery and vein catheterization, percutaneous central veneous catheterization(PCVC) for parenteral nutrition, steroid, aminophylline and broad spectrum anibiotics. Hypertension developed on the 29th hospital day, but was not controlled by diuretics and antihypertensive drugs. on the 40th hospital day, he had abdominal distension, anuria, and azotemia. A Renal ultrasonogram showed that the ureteropelvic junction of the left kidney was completely obstructed with fungus balls. A percutaneous nephrostorny tube, made in a pigtail shape by hand, was inserted under fluoroscopy guidance, and the obstruction of the pelvis was resolved by wire manipulation. Parenteral amphotericin B and oral flucytocine were started, and the left renal pelvis was directly drained and irrigated by percutaneous nephrostomy tube. Candida albicans(C. albicuns) was cultured from urine and a percutaneous central venous catheter tip. His general condition improved, and follow up urine culture revealed no fungus. On follow-up renal ultrasonogram, renal cortex echogenicity and fungus ball had disappeared except for mild left renal calyectasis and pelvic thickening. This report describes a case of obstructive uropathy by fungus ball in systemic candidiasis of prematurity, and reviews the related literature.