Emphysematous pyelonephritis: clinicoradiological classification, management, prognosis, and pathogenesis

Nephroureterectomy for emphysematous pyelonephritis: An aggressive approach is sometimes necessary. A case report and literature review

•

Emphysematous pyelonephritis (EPN) is a life threatening necrotising infection of the renal/perirenal tissue mainly seen in poorly controlled diabetic patients. Urological intervention is required to relieve obstructive uropathy.

•

CT has 100% sensitivity and should be the imaging modality of choice for diagnosis, classification and prognostic scoring.

•

Percutaneous catheter drainage and medical management have improved survival rates. Overall mortality has dropped from 50% to 18%.

•

Septic shock, rising creatinine, thrombocytopaenia, Wan’s type 1 EPN, disturbance of consciousness and bilateral EPN are indicators of poor prognosis.

•

Emergency nephrectomy should be reserved for severe EPN.

Introduction

Emphysematous pyelonephritis (EPN) is a life-threatening urological emergency. A high index of suspicion is required for diagnosis as such patients may present to physicians with typical features of pyelonephritis.

Presentation of case

A 67 year old lady presented atypically to the Emergency Department with symptoms of renal colic. The diagnosis of emphysematous pyelonephritis was established on prompt CT scanning. She did not respond to conservative management. Due to acute, critical deterioration, she underwent a radical right nephroureterectomy. The resected kidney involved a long segment of necrotic, gangrenous ureter. The patient had a smooth post-operative recovery and was successfully discharged. She remains well on follow-up after one year.

Discussion

Early radiological diagnosis is imperative for risk stratification of EPN. Current evidence recommends percutaneous catheter drainage with interval nephrectomy as the gold standard treatment. We review the literature for pathophysiology and clinical prognostic factors. This case adds onto the limited evidence base on ureteric involvement in EPN, suggesting a revision of EPN classification.

Conclusion

Further research on ureteric involvement and treatment outcomes in EPN is required. Even in the current era of minimally invasive surgery and renal preservation therapies, early open nephrectomy still has a role in the management of EPN.

A rare presentation of systemic emphysematous infections secondary to Klebsiella pneumoniae bacteremia in a diabetic patient

BACKGROUND

Diabetic patients are at an increased risk of developing Klebsiella pneumoniae pyogenic liver abscess (KLA) and its extrahepatic complications. This is the first case report depicting the concurrence of pyogenic liver abscess, emphysematous pyelonephritis, and necrotizing fasciitis in 1 patient.

CASE REPORT

A 29-year-old male with a history of poorly controlled diabetes presented to the emergency department with lower back pain and right lower leg pain for 1 week. Abdominal ultrasound and computed tomography revealed pyogenic liver abscess, bilateral emphysematous pyelonephritis, and right lower-extremity necrotizing fasciitis. The patient then received emergent fasciectomy and bilateral percutaneous nephrostomy. K. pneumoniae was isolated from the blood culture, right nephrostomy tube, and right lower-extremity wound, indicating that it was the cause of these infections. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: In diabetic patients diagnosed with KLA, an emergency physician must perform thorough examinations to exclude potential systemic extrahepatic infections. KLA seeding infections are usually hematogenous in origin, as bacteremia is significantly more common in KLA than other pyogenic liver abscess. Documented sites of KLA seeding include eyes, lungs, kidneys, brain, meninges, soft tissues, and bone.

Successful medical treatment of emphysematous pyelonephritis in chronic hemodialysis

Emphysematous pyelonephritis (EPN) is a life-threatening renal infection caused by gas-producing bacteria and fungi. It usually occurs in patients with diabetes and patients with urinary tract obstruction. A combination of systemic antibiotics, percutaneous catheter drainage, or open nephrectomy is typically required to achieve cure. Because of grim prognosis, resorting to interventional methods is frequently inevitable. We report the case of a 77-year-old woman with diabetes and end-stage renal disease on chronic hemodialysis that presented with fever and left flank pain. A bubbly gas pattern inside the left kidney was demonstrated on abdominal computed tomography scan and blood cultures grew Escherichia coli. She was successfully treated solely with systemic antibiotics. This highlights the fact that prompt recognition of imaging findings associated with benign prognosis is essential for a favorable outcome. It allows for an effective management avoiding high-risk interventions, especially in frail patients with multiple comorbidities. Finally, we review all published cases of EPN in chronic dialysis patients.

Beyond broken spines-what the radiologist needs to know about late complications of spinal cord injury

OBJECTIVE

To describe expected imaging findings to assist the emergency room radiologist with recognising complications and pathology unique to the spinal cord injury (SCI) patient population to ensure rapid and accurate diagnosis.

METHODS

Pictorial review.

RESULTS

We review several imaging findings common to persons with chronic SCI, emphasising imaging in the emergency setting and on CT.

CONCLUSION

SCI patients present a unique diagnostic challenge, as they may present with symptoms that are difficult to localise because of abnormal sensation and autonomic instability. Imaging plays an important role in the emergent setting, rapidly differentiating the most commonly encountered complications from less common, unanticipated complications. Radiologists need to be attuned to both the expected findings and potential complications, which may be unique to SCI patients, to ensure accurate diagnosis and treatment in the emergency setting.

MAIN MESSAGES

• Medical complications after spinal cord injury are common and associated with significant morbidity. • Radiologists should be aware of complications unique to the SCI population to aid diagnosis. • Due to abnormal sensation, SCI patients often present with symptoms that are difficult to localise. • In the ED, imaging helps to rapidly differentiate common complications from less anticipated ones.

Acute pyelonephritis in diabetes mellitus: Single center experience

Diabetes mellitus is a common cause of pyelonephritis. Both emphysematous pyelonephritis (EPN) and non-EPN (NEPN) are associated with poor outcome. This study was aimed at analyzing the clinical features, microbiological profile, prognostic factors, and treatment outcome of pyelonephritis in diabetic patients. A total of 105 diabetic patients with pyelonephritis were admitted from July 2010 to June 2012. Patients were treated with appropriate antibiotics and percutaneous drainage (PCD) as indicated. Nephrectomy was carried out in patients of EPN who were refractory to conservative measures. NEPN and EPN were seen in 79 (75.2%) and 26 (24.7%) patients, respectively. Escherichia coli was the most common organism. Pyelonephritis was associated with renal abscess and papillary necrosis in 13 (12.4%) and 4 (3.8%) patients with EPN and NEPN, respectively. Worsening of renal functions were seen in 92 and 93% of patients with EPN and NEPN, respectively. Class 1 EPN was seen in 2 (7.7%), Class II in 8 (30.7%), IIIa in 7 (27%), IIIb in 5 (19.3), and IV in 4 (15.4%) patients. Antibiotics alone were sufficient in 38.5% of EPN versus 62% in NEPN; additional PCD was required in 42.3% in EPN and 21.4% in NEPN. Nephrectomy was required in 5 (19.2%) EPN patients with Class IIIB or IV. A total of 13 patients (12.4%) expired, 4 (15.4%) in EPN, and 9 (11.4%) in NEPN group. Patients with EPN had a higher incidence of shock (6% vs. 0; P < 0.05) and poorly controlled blood sugar (26% vs. 50%; P < 0.05) compared with NEPN. Presence of shock and altered sensorium were associated with poor outcome in patients with EPN. Diabetics with pyelonephritis have severe disease. Patients of EPN have poorer treatment outcome compared with those with NEPN. However, there is no difference in the mortality, but a greater need of nephrectomy in EPN compared with NEPN patients. Presence of shock and altered sensorium at presentation were poor prognostic factors in EPN.

[Two cases of emphysematous urinary tract infections successfully treated with conservative management]

Emphysematous urinary tract infection is a rare, fulminant complication that is characterized by the presence of gas in the pelvicaliceal system, renal parenchyma, perinephric tissues and retroperitoneum. Surgical resection is usually regarded as the treatment of choice, however several studies have shown the safety and efficacy of conservative management under the correct diagnosis and appropriate antibiotic administration. We herein report on two cases of emphysematous urinary tract infection, pyelonephritis and cystitis infected with ESBL-producing Eschrerichia coli, complicated with diabetic mellitus which were successfully treated with conservative treatment.

Gas in the Kidneys? Emphysematous Pyelonephritis: A Case Series

We examine three cases of emphysematous pyelonephritis that presented to our intensive care unit over a three-year period. The three patients were all female, had co-existing diabetes mellitus, and developed acute kidney injury (AKI), hyponatraemia and thrombocytopenia during the course of their illness. All three were managed by radiological intervention along with medical management. Two of the three patients also had surgical management (nephrectomy), which was carried out at different stages of the acute illness. All three patients survived to hospital discharge. There was an inconsistent approach to the management of this rare condition, both in our cases and in similar cases reported in the medical literature. These cases underline the importance of maintaining open dialogue between the intensive care and the specialist teams to aid the decision-making required in these patients, who have a potentially high mortality.

Emphysematous pyelonephritis initially presenting as a spontaneous subcapsular hematoma in a diabetic patient

Emphysematous pyelonephritis (EPN) is a life-threatening infection characterized by the formation of gas. Complications of EPN include septic shock, acute renal failure, and disseminated intravascular coagulation. Spontaneous subcapsular hematoma (SCH) has also been reported as a rare complication of EPN, although there have been no reports to date of this occurring prior to the presentation of EPN. We report a case of EPN that initially presented as spontaneous SCH. The patient was admitted for left flank pain, and initial computed tomography revealed SCH without any air shadows. Laboratory findings and clinical symptoms suggested the presence of urinary tract infection and the patient was started on antibiotics. Fever developed 24 hours after admission. On follow-up computed tomography 7 days later, EPN was newly observed, and a percutaneous drain was inserted. Blood, urine, and drainage fluid cultures all revealed growth of extended-spectrum β-lactamase-negative Escherichia coli.

Disease burden of urinary tract infections among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients in the U.S

AIMS

Type 2 diabetes is a reported risk factor for more frequent and severe urinary tract infections (UTI). We sought to quantify the annual healthcare cost burden of UTI in type 2 diabetic patients.

METHODS

Adult patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes were identified in MarketScan administrative claims data. UTI occurrence and costs were assessed during a 1-year period. We examined UTI-related visit and antibiotic costs among patients diagnosed with UTI, comparing those with versus without a history of UTI in the previous year (prevalent vs. incident UTI cases). We estimated the total incremental cost of UTI by comparing all-cause healthcare costs in patients with versus without UTI, using propensity score-matched samples.

RESULTS

Within the year, 8.2% (6,014/73,151) of subjects had ≥1 UTI, of whom 33.8% had a history of UTI. UTI-related costs among prevalent versus incident cases were, respectively, $603 versus $447 (p=0.033) for outpatient services, $1,607 versus $1,819 (p=NS) for hospitalizations, and $61 versus $35 (p<0.0001) for antibiotics. UTI was associated with a total all-cause incremental cost of $7,045 (95% CI: 4,130, 13,051) per patient with UTI per year.

CONCLUSIONS

UTI is common and may impose a substantial direct medical cost burden among patients with type 2 diabetes.

Predictors of failure of conservative treatment among patients with emphysematous pyelonephritis

Background

Emphysematous pyelonephritis (EPN) is a severe necrotizing infection of the renal parenchyma and perirenal tissues that is caused by gas-producing bacterial pathogens. Percutaneous drainage is now the gold standard of definitive management. The aim of this study is to analyze the predictors associated with failure of conservative treatment among patients with EPN and offer the recommendation of appropriate empirical antibiotic regimen.

Methods

From January 2001 to December 2013, 44 consecutive patients were diagnosed with EPN. The demographic characteristics, clinical presentations, management strategies, and final outcomes were analyzed retrospectively.

Results

The overall survival rate was 88.6% (39/44). Need for emergency hemodialysis, shock on initial presentation, altered mental status, severe hypoalbuminemia, inappropriate empirical antibiotic treatment and polymicrobial infections were significantly more common in the patients who died compared with the survivors. The overall failure rate of conservative treatment was 32.6% (14/43). Severe hypoalbuminemia (p = 0.003), need for emergency hemodialysis (p = 0.03), and polymicrobial infections (p = 0.04) were significantly associated with failure of conservative treatment. Severe hypoalbuminemia was independently associated with conservative management failure (p = 0.02). Even in the patients treated with percutaneous drainage plus effective antibiotics, failure was still associated with severe hypoalbuminemia (p = 0.01). According to the in vitro susceptibility data, third-generation cephalosporins is recommended as the empirical antibiotic regimen.

Conclusions

Both appropriate empirical antibiotic and percutaneous drainage were essential for patients with EPN. Patients with severe hypoalbuminemia had a higher risk of conservative treatment failure, and additional management may be required.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/1471-2334-14-418) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Fulminant course of unilateral emphysematous pyelonephritis revealing a renal actinomycosis caused by Actinomyces meyeri, an unknown cause of septic shock

The objective of this case report is to describe the first case of renal actinomycosis caused by Actinomyces meyeri presenting as severe emphysematous pyelonephritis and complicated by septic shock and multi-organ failure. Emphysematous pyelonephritis is a potentially life-threatening infection mostly described in diabetic patients and predominantly caused by uropathogenic bacteria. Actinomycosis is an uncommon chronic infection due to anaerobic gram-positive bacteria that unusually involves the urinary tract. We report the first case of emphysematous pyelonephritis caused by A. meyeri in a 75-year-old non-diabetic woman. The patient presented with an altered status, fever, nausea, and vomiting lasting for 2 days. A computed tomography scan revealed unilateral emphysematous pyelonephritis. She was rapidly admitted to intensive care unit for a septic shock with multiple organ dysfunctions. A conservative management consisting in renal percutaneous drainage, supportive measures, and prolonged adapted antibiotic therapy resulted in complete recovery. This case report illustrates that renal actinomycosis should be considered in case of emphysematous pyelonephritis given the good prognosis of this infection with conservative medical treatment.

Emphysematous pyelonephritis in a diabetic patient with obstructed kidney

Emphysematous pyelonephritis (EPN) is an acute, rare, inflammatory disease, which typically occurs in patients who suffer from diabetes mellitus. We report the case of a patient who was admitted to the Department of Urology with septic signs, in whom, after performing computed tomography, the diagnosis of EPN was established. The patient underwent organ–preserving treatment, which consisted of pyelolithotomy with nephrostomy, and the insertion of a double J catheter into the left ureter. The importance of the classification of EPN is also discussed. The need for individualized procedures is highlighted.

Case of emphysematous pyelonephritis in kidney allograft: Conservative treatment

Emphysematous pyelonephritis is an acute necrotizing infection with gas in the kidney and perinephric space that carries a bad prognosis. Apart from its predisposing clinical entities, diabetes mellitus and immune-incompetence are quite common in patients with this infection. We report a case of a 53-year-old kidney transplant recipient diabetic male, suffering from recurrent fever, abdominal pain and nausea episodes. Immediate broad-spectrum antibiotics were administered and percutaneous drainage was performed after the diagnosis. The bacteria involved were Stahpylococcus epidermidis and Escherichia coli. After 4 weeks of antibiotic treatment and abscesses drainage, the case was resolved. Consecutives urine cultures and ultrasonographies confirm the complete resolution of the disease. We discuss the predisposing factors, clinical presentation and management.

Emphysematous pyelonephritis: multicenter clinical and therapeutic experience in Mexico

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the outcomes of emphysematous pyelonephritis (EPN), the impact of different treatment modalities, and to determine risk factors associated with mortality.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed cases of EPN from 3 tertiary care institutions in Mexico. The diagnosis was confirmed with computed tomographic scan. Treatment was classified as follows: medical management (MM), minimally invasive, and surgical. Demographic, clinical, biochemical, and radiological characteristics were assessed and compared between survivors and nonsurvivors. Comparison was assessed using 1-way analysis of variance and chi-square. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to determine prognostic factors. Main end point was mortality.

RESULTS

A total of 62 patients were included (49 women and 13 men), with a mean age of 53.9 years. The most common comorbidities were diabetes (69.3%) and hypertension (40.3%). Escherichia coli was the most common isolated microorganism (62.7%). MM was provided to 24.2%, minimally invasive treatment to 51.6%, open drainage to 19.3%, and emergency nephrectomy to 4.8%. Overall mortality was 14.5% and was similar among different treatment modalities (P=.06). Survivors were younger (P=.004), had lower creatinine (P=.002), and better estimated glomerular filtration rate (P=.007). In univariate analysis, age (P=.009), creatinine (P=.009), and need for nephrectomy (P=.03) were associated with mortality. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, creatinine (odds ratio 1.56, 95% confidence interval 1.03-2.35, P=.03) and nephrectomy (odds ratio 9.7, 95% confidence interval 1.007-93.51, P=.049) remained significant predictors of mortality.

CONCLUSION

EPN needs an aggressive MM and stepwise approach; nephrectomy should be the last resort of treatment. Creatinine level and need for nephrectomy are the strongest predictors of mortality according our analysis.

A case series of emphysematous pyelonephritis

Introduction. Emphysematous pyelonephritis (EPN) is an uncommon infection characterized by gas in the renal parenchyma and surrounding tissues. It is rapidly progressive, requiring appropriate therapy to salvage the infected kidney. Case Description. The case series presents 5 patients with a clinical and radiologic diagnosis of EPN. Each patient had a unique predisposing factor for developing EPN. Early goal directed therapy with intravenous fluids and antibiotics was given. This was followed by less invasive urologic interventions in an attempt to avoid nephrectomy and thereby salvage the infected kidney. All five patients were discharged in clinically stable conditions. Discussion and Conclusion. This case series provides added practice based support to available literature for managing EPN. Early goal directed medical therapy for sepsis coupled with interventional urologic procedures is a valuable alternative to circumvent an upfront emergent nephrectomy, except in cases where a fulminant infection may be present at the time of admission or develop later on in the course of the patients illness despite conservative line of therapy. It also highlights the importance of considering a diagnosis of EPN in patients with urinary infections, who have certain common predisposing factors listed in our case series.

Emphysematous Cystitis and Pyelonephritis in a Nondiabetic Dog and a Diabetic CatS

Emphysematous cystitis (EC) and emphysematous pyelonephritis (EPN) are the result of infection of the urinary bladder and kidneys by gas-producing microorganisms. Those infections are most often reported in diabetic patients and rarely occur concurrently. This article describes two cases of concurrent EC and EPN, one in a nondiabetic dog and the other in a diabetic cat. The use of diagnostic imaging is necessary in the diagnosis of emphysematous infections. Both radiography and ultrasonography were used in the diagnosis of EC and EPN in the patients described in this report.

A rare occurrence of hepatic portal venous gas in emphysematous pyelonephritis

Hepatic portal venous gas (HPVG) is an uncommon radiological sign and often portends significant underlying abdominal disease. A number of conditions may produce this sign and identifying the underlying etiology is essential for management. The advent of ultrasonography-color Doppler imaging and computerized tomography has led to more frequent recognition of this condition. This article describes the very rare association of HPVG in a patient with emphysematous pyelonephritis.

Emphysematous cystitis: a review of the literature

Emphysematous cystitis (EC) is a rare form of complicated urinary tract infection, its characteristic feature being gas within the bladder wall and lumen. Patients with EC present with variable clinical manifestations ranging from asymptomatic to severe sepsis. EC is typically observed in elderly women with severe diabetes mellitus. Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae are often isolated from urine cultures. Imaging methods, such as plain conventional abdominal radiography and computed tomography, are pivotal for obtaining a definitive diagnosis of EC. Most cases can be treated with a combination of antibiotics, bladder drainage and glycemic control. EC is potentially life-threatening, with a mortality rate of 7%. Early medical intervention can contribute to achieving a favorable prognosis without the need for surgical intervention. In this review, we provide a comprehensive description of the clinical characteristics of EC.

Emphysematous pyelonephritis: Outcome with conservative management

Emphysematous pyelonephritis is a life-threatening condition characterized by necrotising gas forming infection of the renal parenchyma. We describe eight patients seen over a period of 2 years, 62.5% males and 37.5% females with age range between 21 and 65 years. About 75% patients had diabetes mellitus. Six patients were managed conservatively. One patient required nephrectomy with percutaneous drainage and one patient died without surgical intervention.

Features and treatment modality of iliopsoas abscess and its outcome: a 6-year hospital-based study

Background

Percutaneous drainage (PCD) and surgical intervention are two primary treatment options for iliopsoas abscess (IPA). However, there is currently no consensus on when to use PCD or surgical intervention, especially in patients with gas-forming IPA. This study compared the characteristics of patients with gas-forming and non-gas forming IPA and their mortality rates under different treatment modalities. An algorithm for selecting appropriate treatment for IPA patients is proposed based on our findings.

Methods

Eighty-eight IPA patients between July 2007 and February 2013 were enrolled in this retrospective study. Patients < 18 years of age or with an incomplete course of treatment were excluded. Demographic information, clinical characteristics, and outcomes of different treatment approaches were compared between gas-forming IPA and non-gas forming IPA patients.

Results

Among the 88 enrolled patients, 27 (31%) had gas-forming IPA and 61 (69%) had non-gas forming IPA. The overall intra-hospital mortality rate was 25%. The gas-forming IPA group had a higher intra-hospital mortality rate (12/27, 44.0%) than the non-gas forming IPA group (10/61, 16.4%) (P < 0.001). Only 2 of the 13 patients in the gas-forming IPA group initially accepting PCD had a good outcome (success rate = 15.4%). Three of the 11 IPA patients with failed initial PCD expired, and 8 of the 11 patients with failed initial PCD accepted salvage operation, of whom 5 survived. Seven of the 8 gas-forming IPA patients accepting primary surgical intervention survived (success rate = 87.5%). Only 1 of the 6 gas-forming IPA patients who accepted antibiotics alone, without PCD or surgical intervention, survived (success rate = 16.7%). In the non-gas forming IPA group, 23 of 61 patients initially accepted PCD, which was successful in 17 patients (73.9%). The success rate of PCD was much higher in the non-gas forming group than in the gas-forming group (P <0.01).

Conclusions

Based on the high failure rate of PCD and the high success rate of surgical intervention in our samples, we recommend early surgical intervention with appropriate antibiotic treatment for the patients with gas-forming IPA. Either PCD or primary surgical intervention is a suitable treatment for patients with non-gas forming IPA.

A case report of emphysematous pyelonephritis as a first presentation of diabetes mellitus

Emphysematous Pyelonephritis (EPN) is an acute suppurative Infection of the kidney. It is an uncommon infection, occurs mostly in patients with diabetes and a predilection for females. It has a high fatality rate; therefore, aggressive medical, early intervention or surgical approach is recommended. We present here a woman with no previous medical history presented with uncontrolled hyperglycemia for the first time associated with EPN.

Emphysematous pyelonephritis: Time for a management plan with an evidence-based approach

INTRODUCTION

Emphysematous pyelonephritis (EPN) is a life-threatening necrotising kidney infection, but there is no consensus on the best management.

METHODS

We systematically reviewed previous articles published from 1980 to 2013 that included studies reporting on EPN, and applying the Cochrane guidelines, we conducted a meta-analysis of the results.

RESULTS

In all, 32 studies were included, with results for 628 patients (mean age 56.6 years, range 33.8-79.9). There were 462 women, outnumbering men by 3:1. Diabetes was present in 85% of the cases. Fevers and rigor (74.7%), pyuria (78.2%) and pain (70.4%) were the most common symptoms. Shock was associated with 54.4% of deaths while obstructive uropathy was associated with 15.1% of deaths. Computed tomography was diagnostic in all the cases. Percutaneous drainage (PCD) and medical management (MM) alone were associated with a significantly lower mortality rate than was emergency nephrectomy (EN), with an odds ratio (95% confidence interval) for PCD vs. EN of 3.13 (1.89-5.16; P < 0.001), for EN vs. MM of 2.84 (1.62-4.99; P = 0.001), and of 0.91 (0.53-1.56; P = 0.73, i.e., no difference) for PCD vs. MM. Open drainage also had a significantly lower mortality rate than EN, with a ratio of 0.12 (0.02-0.91; P < 0.04).

CONCLUSION

The overall mortality rate was ≈18%; shock was associated with a high mortality rate and therefore should be managed aggressively. PCD and MM were associated with significantly higher survival rates than EN, and therefore EN should only be considered if the patient does not improve despite other treatments.

Emphysematous pyelonephritis: patient characteristics and management approach

INTRODUCTION

Emphysematous pyelonephritis (EPN) is an acute, severe, necrotizing infection of the renal parenchyma and perirenal tissue that requires immediate treatment. However, the ideal approach to its management remains controversial. We conducted this study to determine the appropriate treatment modalities.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective review of EPN cases revealed 10 consecutive cases from July 2003 to June 2012. Clinical and demographic data were collected from each patient.

RESULTS

All patients had diabetes mellitus, 5 presented with urinary tract obstruction by urolithiasis. Seven patients had type I disease and 3 had type II disease. Six of the type I patients underwent emergent nephrectomy and 1 of these died, the remaining patient refused surgical intervention and died after receiving medical management only. The type II patients underwent percutaneous drainage, and 2 of them subsequently underwent elective nephrectomy; all 3 survived.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that emergency nephrectomy may be considered the initial management for type I EPN, while percutaneous drainage may be an effective initial treatment option for type II EPN.

Genitourinary infection in diabetes

Diabetes is known to increase the risk of infection and the commonest amongst them are the ones involving the genitourinary tract. The infections in a diabetic patient are unique in that they are recurrent, more severe, requiring hospitalization, and also have higher mortality than nondiabetics. Some infections are exclusively found in diabetics like the emphysematous pyelonephritis while others have their natural history complicated due to hyperglycemia. Asymptomatic bacteriuria may lead to albuminuria and urinary tract infection and may need to be treated in diabetics. Not just this certain organisms have a predilection for the genitourinary tract of the diabetic patient. All of the above makes the diabetic patient vulnerable to infections and therefore early diagnosis and appropriate treatment is mandatory.

Conservative management of severe bilateral emphysematous pyelonephritis: Case series and review of literature

Emphysematous pyelonephritis (EPN) is a life-threatening condition most commonly observed in diabetes, with nephrectomy believed to be the treatment of choice. However, nephrectomy in EPN is associated with increased risk of complications secondary to associated hemodynamic instability and may result in lifelong hemodialysis in case of bilateral EPN. We present three patients of severe bilateral EPN and one patient of unilateral EPN with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) successfully managed conservatively. Patient 1 (severe bilateral EPN) and patient 4 (unilateral EPN with DKA) responded to aggressive broad spectrum antibiotics, whereas patients 2 and 3 (severe bilateral EPN) responded to broad spectrum antibiotics along with percutaneous catheter drainage (PCD). PCD resulted in initial drainage of 300 and 200 ml of pus, respectively. All patients had associated uncontrolled hyperglycemia, poor glycemic control (HbA1c >8.5%), prerenal and intrinsic renal failure, leukocytosis, and dyselectrolytemia which responded to aggressive supportive management and insulin. There are several reports of successful medical management of severe bilateral EPN. Nephrectomy might no longer be the preferred treatment of severe bilateral EPN and may be reserved for patients' refractory to antibiotics and PCD. Urgent randomized controlled trials are warranted in EPN to optimize the treatment protocols.

Emphysematous Pyelonephritis Caused by Citrobacter freundii in a Patient with Type 2 Diabetes and Neurogenic Bladder

Emphysematous pyelonephritis (EPN) is a rare, life-threatening complication of upper urinary tract infections that is characterized by the presence of gas in the renal parenchyma and perirenal space. It commonly occurs in diabetic patients. Escherichia coli are the most common causative organisms, with few reports implicating Citrobacter freundii as the etiologic agent in EPN. A 57-year-old woman with diabetes and neurogenic bladder visited at our department with confused mentality, myalgia, and general weakness. Further investigation revealed that the patient suffered from unilateral EPN with sepsis caused by C. freundii. The patient's condition was improved considerably with percutaneous drainage and use of intravenous antibiotics for several weeks. However, renal function eventually deteriorated to permanent renal failure, which required hemodialysis. In conclusion, C. freundii may be the causative pathogen of EPN in a patient with type 2 diabetes and neurogenic bladder.

Emphysematous pyelonephritis: Our experience with conservative management in 14 cases

Context:

Emphysematous pyelonephritis (EPN) is a rare, severe, acute, necrotizing infection of the kidney. In this study, we present the clinical details, the management strategies, and the outcome of fourteen patients of EPN managed at our center.

Materials and Methods:

A retrospective analysis of the hospital records was done. A total of fourteen patients with EPN were admitted in our hospital from August 2007 to February 2011. All the patients were managed conservatively. Follow-up ranged from six months to one year.

Results:

Of the fourteen patients, four belonged to class I, five to class II, four to class IIIA and one to class IIIB. All the patients had history of fever, 43% had localized flank pain while 36% had vague abdominal discomfort. Renal angle tenderness was the most common sign, seen in 86% of the patients. E. coli was the most common bacteria, which was isolated from urine in 57% of the patients. On the risk factor stratification, three patients had simultaneous presence of 2 or more risk factors (thrombocytopenia-2 patients; renal function impairment-7 patients; shock-1 patient). All the patients were initially managed with aggressive fluid and electrolyte resuscitation, control of blood sugar levels, and broad spectrum antibiotics. Intervention, in the form of percutaneous drainage or DJ stenting, was done in six patients. One patient failed to respond to this minimally invasive modality of treatment and had to undergo an open drainage. Thus, the acute episode was managed with conservative management strategies in all the patients; however, three patients underwent nephrectomy due to poorly-functioning kidney during follow-up.

Conclusions:

EPN is now being more readily diagnosed, at an early stage, making conservative management of EPN a safe, effective, and feasible option.

Emphysematous pyelonephritis: clinical characteristics and prognostic factors

OBJECTIVES

Emphysematous pyelonephritis is a severe necrotizing infection of the renal parenchyma and perirenal tissues that is caused by gas-producing bacterial pathogens. The aim of the present study was to determine the clinical characteristics and prognostic factors of patients with emphysematous pyelonephritis.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed the clinical and laboratory data, imaging findings, and outcomes of 32 patients with emphysematous pyelonephritis. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was carried out on variables that were significantly associated with patient mortality.

RESULTS

The overall survival rate was 87.5% (28/32). Escherichia coli (43.6%) was the most common organism cultured from urine and blood specimens. Hypoalbuminemia, shock as the presenting feature, bacteremia, need for hemodialysis and polymicrobial infection were significantly more common in cases resulting in death. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.96. The cut-off point determined by the maximum Youden index (0.93) for three of these five factors yielded a sensitivity of 1.00 and specificity of 0.93. Shock as an initial presentation (P = 0.039) and polymicrobial infection (P = 0.010) were significantly associated with poor outcome. There were no significant differences in the clinical or laboratory features of the patients who did or did not undergo nephrectomy.

CONCLUSION

Hypoalbuminemia, shock as an initial presentation, bacteremia, indications for hemodialysis and polymicrobial infection represent prognostic factors for mortality in patients with emphysematous pyelonephritis. Patients presenting with more than two of these prognostic factors carry the highest risk of mortality, and they require timely diagnosis and aggressive management.

Transmesocolic robotic extended pyelolithotomy of a large gas-containing renal stone: Case report and review of the literature

We present the fifth case in the world literature of a gas-containing urinary stone. Our patient is a 31-year-old woman referred for left flank pain and gross hematuria who was noted on imaging to have a 6.5 cm left renal pelvis stone containing gas. Cultures revealed Escherichia coli from the urine and stone material. Chemistry revealed underlying gouty diathesis. The stone was removed using robotic extended pyelolithotomy. Overall, renal function remained unchanged while drainage improved on nucleotide renography. Review of the world literature suggests that gas-containing renal stones are invariably associated with emphysematous pyelonephritis commonly caused by E. coli and Klebsiella. Contributing factors to gas-containing stone formation include urinary stasis, metabolic mineral derangement and, in a minority of the cases, diabetes.

Is aggressive therapy the answer for all cases of emphysematous pyelonephritis: a report of three cases

Emphysematous Pyelonephritis (EPN) is a severe, necrotizing, life threatening infection of the renal parenchyma and management is not standardised due to scarcity of literature. We present 3 patients with this rare entity. All 3 patients were of class III on CECT findings based on Huang's classification and had more than two risk factors. Our first patient underwent percutaneous drainage of his condition upon which he recovered. The second and third patients underwent a laparotomy and nephrectomy. The second patient recovered after a stormy post operative period and the third patient died. Management of the first patient was contrary to that recommended in literature, for the other two it was as per recommendations. On successful management of our first patient without surgery and seeing no discernable benefits of surgery for our other two patients, it is possible that percutaneous drainage alone, coupled with antibiotics may be a viable strategy for managing this condition with nephrectomy being considered as a second tier option.

Successfully treated Escherichia coli-induced emphysematous cyst infection with combination of intravenous antibiotics and intracystic antibiotics irrigation in a patient with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease

A 62-yr-old woman with an autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) was admitted to our hospital for further evaluation of intermittent fever, nausea and left flank discomfort. The computed tomography (CT) scan revealed a gas-forming, infectious cyst of approximately 8.1 cm in size in left kidney lower pole. Escherichia coli was identified from the cyst fluid culture examination. Her symptoms improved only after the concomitant use of intravenous ciprofloxacin and an intracystic irrigation of ciprofloxacin through a percutaneous cystostomy drainage. Our case presents the successfully treated emphysematous cyst infection with combination of intravenous antibiotics and intracystic antibiotic therapy instead of surgical management.

Emphysematous pyelonephritis: a rare but potentially life-threatening complication of poorly controlled diabetes

A 50-year-old man with poorly controlled type 1 diabetes presented with a 48-h history of diarrhoea, vomiting and poor appetite. He had recently visited India where he was treated for enteric fever. On admission he was febrile, dehydrated, hypotensive and tachycardic with diffuse abdominal tenderness. Plasma glucose was 56.1 mmol/L, venous pH 7.11, and urinalysis showed significant ketonuria, confirming diabetic ketoacidosis. He was treated with intravenous fixed dose insulin and fluids. In view of his symptoms, an erect chest and abdominal X-ray were performed to exclude small bowel obstruction and perforation respectively. The abdominal X-ray showed a gas density adopting the outline of the right kidney. Computed tomography of the abdomen showed gas within the parenchyma of the right kidney, in keeping with emphysematous pyelonephritis, and also a right sided hydronephrosis and hydroureter. Blood cultures were positive for Enterobacter aerogenes. He was reviewed by the urologists and infectious diseases team, was started on intravenous meropenem and had a percutaneous nephrostomy, drainage of gas from the emphysematous region of the right kidney and ureteric stent insertion. He responded well to treatment and was discharged on a basal bolus insulin regime, with his nephrostomy and drain being removed before discharge. He is under out-patient review by the diabetes, urology and infectious diseases teams. Emphysematous pyelonephritis is a potentially life-threatening complication of poorly controlled diabetes, characterised by bacterial production of gas within the kidney parenchyma. Early diagnosis and multidisciplinary care can lead to good outcomes, avoiding the need for emergency nephrectomy.

Emphysematous pyelonephritis: A single center study

We present our experience of 22 cases of emphysematous pyelonephritis (EPN) treated from 1996 to 2012. Medical records were analyzed retrospectively for demographic profile, presence and duration of diabetes mellitus, and mode of clinical presentation. EPN was diagnosed based on demonstration of intra-renal gas by plain X-ray, ultrasound, and/or computed tomography (CT) scan. Details of medical treatment, reason for surgical intervention, and final outcome were recorded. Univariate analysis was performed to identify risk factors for mortality and P value of less than 0.05 was taken as significant. Twenty-two cases (6 males, 16 females) of EPN were diagnosed. Seven cases presented with acute pyelonephritis, seven cases with urosepsis, and the remaining eight patients with multi-organ dysfunction. CT grading of EPN was class IV in three, class III in four, class II in 14, and class I in one. All were initially managed medically with parenteral antibiotics. Ten patients needed additional surgical intervention. The overall survival rate was 86.3% (19/22). Among the risk factors analyzed higher CT grade, altered sensorium and thrombocytopenia were significantly associated with mortality. We conclude that a more conservative approach in managing EPN has become the standard of care. Patients having high CT grade of lesions (III and IV) with altered sensorium and thrombocytopenia at presentation are more likely to die due to the disease and may be better managed by an aggressive surgical plan.

Gas-producing renal infection presenting as pneumaturia: a case report

We present a case of persistent pneumaturia of one-year duration in a fifty-five-year-old male with a history of spinal cord injury. The evaluation demonstrated gas throughout the collecting system attributable to a urinary tract infection with a gas-forming organism, Klebsiella pneumoniae.

Complicated urinary tract infections associated with diabetes mellitus: Pathogenesis, diagnosis and management

Diabetes mellitus has a number of long-term effects on the genitourinary system. These effects predispose to bacterial urinary tract infections (UTIs) in the patient with diabetes mellitus. Complicated UTIs are also common and potentially life-threatening conditions. They include emphysematous pyelonephritis, emphysematous pyelitis/cystitis, xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis, renal/perirenal abscess, and renal papillary necrosis. Improved outcomes of these entities may be achieved by early diagnosis, knowledge of common predisposing factors, appropriate clinical and radiological assessment, and prompt management. Herein we review complicated UTIs associated with diabetes mellitus in terms of pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, radiological features, and current management options.

Medical therapy alone can be sufficient for bilateral emphysematous pyelonephritis: report of a new case and review of previous experiences

Bilateral emphysematous pyelonephritis (EPN) is an extremely uncommon, life-threatening gas-forming infection of renal parenchyma and its surrounding areas. Surgical treatment, including percutaneous catheter drainage and nephrectomy, has been advocated as the treatment of choice in most of the patients. However, nephrectomy is itself a hazardous intervention in an unstable septic patient. Whenever bilateral disease is present, the need for long-term renal replacement therapy is unavoidable. We present the clinical course of a lady who presented with bilateral EPN and was successfully managed by medical therapy alone. We also reviewed almost all published cases of bilateral EPN that had been managed medically.

Emphysematous urinoma as a complication of emphysematous pyelitis in a healthy adult male

Emphysematous pyelitis and urinomas are independently rare conditions. The former is a severe necrotizing infection involving the renal collecting system, the latter an encapsulated collection of urine in the perinephric or paraureteral space. An unusual case of emphysematous urinoma complicating emphysematous pyelitis in a healthy male adult is presented in this study.