A Case of Emphysematous Pyelitis in a Renal Transplant Recipient / 대한이식학회지

ABSTRACT

Emphysematous pyelitis (EP) is a rare complication of urinary tract infection, which has been defined as isolated gas production inside the excretory system. Contrary to emphysematous pyelonephritis, which is more severe, necrotizing infection of the renal parenchyma, EP is a benign entity. To our knowledge, it has not been reported in the Korean literature, particularly in renal transplant recipients. Herein we report a case of EP in a living renal transplant recipient. A 32-year-old man received a living related renal transplant 4 years earlier for end-stage renal disease secondary to chronic glomerulonephritis. The patient presented with a sudden onset of chills, nausea, vomiting and pain on graft area. He was diagnosed as EP by computerized tomography. Immunosuppressive agents were modified and he was successfully treated with parenteral antibiotics with complete disappearance of air in the renal pelvis.