Double infundibular obliteration with abscess formation after percutaneous nephrolithotomy

A case of an unusual complication after percutaneous nephrolithotomy. After removal of an infectious staghorn calculus followed by SWL, the patient developed a double infundibular stricture leaving the kidney divided into three separate compartments. In spite of the absence of clinical symptoms of infection, this was further complicated by abscess formation and finally, function loss of the upper part of the kidney. Combined retro- and anterograde endoscopic surgery failed to re-establish the complete continuity of the uretero-caliceal system and the patient had to undergo partial nephrectomy. Possible etiologies, contributing factors and means of prevention for this rare complication are discussed.