A case report of emphysematous pyelonephritis

A 51-year-old male patient with diabetes mellitus consulted his home doctor because of high fever and right flank pain. Urinalysis showed marked pyuria. Treatment with antibiotics was not completely effective, and he was referred to our hospital for further examination and treatment. CT scan showed an abnormal gas shadow in right renal parenchyma. He was diagnosed with emphysematous pyelonephritis and right subcapsular nephrectomy was done after the control of diabetes mellitus. We reviewed 57 cases of emphysematous pyelonephritis including our case in the Japanese literature, and we discussed about its etiology, symptomatology, choice of treatment and prognosis.