Emphysematous pyelonephritis: case report and review of the literature

Emphysematous pyelonephritis (EP), a rare necrotizing infection of the upper urinary tract, is a life-threatening complication of patients with diabetes mellitus. A case of EP is described where the diagnosis was delayed for 36 h and the patient died notwithstanding aggressive medical and surgical intervention. The demonstration of gas in the renal structures is pathognomonic of EP. Because early diagnosis and aggressive medical and surgical management is imperative for recovery, we recommend plain abdominal radiographs as a minimal screening tool for all diabetic patients who present to hospital with a presumptive pyelonephritis. The diagnosis should also be considered in patients who failed appropriate medical therapy.