A rare case - Escalation of care for high risk emphysematous pyelonephritis in rural Australia

Emphysematous Pyelonephritis (EP) is a rare necrotizing renal parenchymal infection characterised by gas within the kidney parenchyma. Management with emergency nephrectomy has transitioned to a graded medical, radiological intervention and surgical approach. We present a rare case of high-risk emphysematous pyelonephritis, outlining key high risk factors and demonstrating staggered care escalation within a rural Australian referral hospital.

[Bilateral emphysematous pyelonephritis, a rare cause of acute renal failure]

BACKGROUND

The emphysematous pyelonephritis is a life-threatening complication of a bacterial interstitial nephritis, and it occurs mainly in diabetics. The infection with optional anaerobic microorganisms, which are able to produce gas, is supported by a reduced state of resistance, a high glucose level in the tissue in diabetic derailment and ischemia in the infected organ, for example by a kidney infarction or by an obstructive uropathy. Mostly the inflammation occurs unilateral, only in 10% of all cases both kidneys are affected. Computer tomography allows a fast diagnosis by demonstrating gas accumulation in the kidney. Surgical measures and antibiotic therapy are the principal therapeutic methods.

CASE REPORT

The example of a 55-year-old diabetic man with bilateral emphysematous pyelonephritis demonstrates the diagnostic and therapeutic possibilities. After a fast diagnostic procedure, immediate hemodialysis in uremia and bilateral nephrectomy let the patient survive in a stable clinical condition dependent on regular dialysis treatment.

Bilateral emphysematous pyelonephritis

In any diabetic patient being diagnosed or treated for pyelonephritis, it is important to exclude the diagnosis of emphysematous pyelonephritis, which carries a high mortality rate. The authors present an illustrative case of emphysematous pyelonephritis treated with antibiotics and emergency nephrectomy. The signs, symptoms, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of emphysematous pyelonephritis are discussed.