Renal emphysema in diabetic patients: CT evaluation.

Renal emphysema is a rare, fulminant, suppurative infection of pelvicaliceal system, renal parenchyma, perinephric tissues, and retroperitoneum. It is characterized by formation of gas. Invariably this condition is associated with diabetes mellitus and carries high mortality (40-90%). Renal emphysema can be classified into two distinct clinical entities: emphysematous pyelitis and emphysematous pyelonephritis. This classification has important prognostic and therapeutic implications. Herein we describe the computed tomographic findings in five unilateral cases of renal emphysema (two cases of emphysematous pyelitis and three cases of emphysematous pyelonephritis) in five insulin-dependent diabetic patients.

Encrusted cystitis and pyelitis in children: an unusual condition with potentially severe consequences.

OBJECTIVES: To report our experience with the management of encrusted cystitis and pyelitis (EC and EP) in the pediatric population. EC and EP are well-known entities in adults but are rarely identified in children. They consist of mucosal encrustations and are due to specific microorganisms. METHODS: Between 1996 and 2001, 4 children with a mean age of 9 years (range 4 to 13) were treated for EC (n = 2), EP (n = 1), and EC and EP (n = 1). The latter was a kidney transplant recipient. We retrospectively evaluated the clinical characteristics of the patients and the results of conservative management. RESULTS: The delay between the beginning of the symptoms and the diagnosis was longer than 1 month in all cases. The diagnosis of EC was not evoked and was made during cystoscopy in all cases. EP was diagnosed during pyelotomy in 1 patient because it was evoked and confirmed by computed tomography scan in the kidney transplant recipient. Corynebacterium urealyticum was identified in the urine of all patients. EC was treated by antibiotics and endoscopic debulking, and EP was treated by antibiotics and local acidification. The duration of antibiotic therapy was between 1 and 6 months. The tolerance to local acidification of the kidneys was poor. Cure was achieved in 3 cases, but the treatment of EP failed in the kidney transplant recipient and graft removal was decided after 6 months of failed management because intractable febrile urinary tract infections became life threatening for the patient. CONCLUSIONS: EC and EP are uncommon in children; however, these diseases must be considered. They must be diagnosed rapidly and require, if possible, conservative management. Nevertheless, kidney loss can occur in transplant recipients with EP.

Successful treatment of primary bilateral renal mucormycosis with bilateral nephrectomy.

Bilateral invasive renal mucormycosis has previously been associated with a 100% mortality rate. We report a case of bilateral invasive renal mucormycosis in a patient treated with amphotericin B and bilateral nephrectomy who survived and is currently disease-free.

[Ureteritis cystica. Case report and review of the literature]. / Ureterite kystique a propos d'un cas et revue de la litterature.

The authors report one case of ureteritis cystica in 40 years old women. The diagnosis was confirmed by histologic examination. The epidemiologic, etiopathogenic, radio-diagnosis and therapeutic aspects are discussed with a review of literature.

[Pneumopyocystitis in a patient with adult polycystic kidney disease]. / Pioneumoquistes en paciente con enfermedad poliquística del adulto.

OBJECTIVES: We present a case of adult polycystic kidney disease, also known as autosomal dominant polycystic kidney, complicated by infection of the cysts and the formation of gas within them. METHODS/RESULTS: A 59 year old patient diagnosed of adult polycystic kidney disease with chronic renal failure on treatment with haemodialysis, who presented sepsis secondary to infection of the renal cysts. The CT scan demonstrated the presence of gas within the cysts and the microbiology revealed E. coli in one of them. Urgent nephrectomy was performed. A histological specimen of the excised organ is also presented. CONCLUSIONS: Infection of one or more cysts in adult polycystic kidney disease is a rare and serious complication which may require immediate nephrectomy, particularly if gas appears within the cysts.

Pyeloureteritis cystica.

A case of pyeloureteritis cystica is presented. The incidental findings of an episode of hypertension focused attention on the urinary system. Urologic evaluation concluded a suspicious renal mass. The diagnosis was established only after histologic studies of the surgical specimen.