Perinephric abscesses in the neurologically impaired

Retrospective chart review.

To document the occurrence and management of large perinephric abscesses in neurologically impaired patients at high risk for this infectious complication.

US Veterans Affairs hospital.

The records, radiographs, operative findings and outcomes of all patients who presented with perinephric abscesses evident on physical exam within the last 5 years were reviewed.

Four patients presented with large perinephric abscesses evident on physical examination. All had severe neurologic impairment with high sensory levels; three had spinal cord injuries, one had advanced multiple sclerosis. All had neurogenic bladders and recurrent urinary tract infections. The diagnosis was made through a combination of history, physical examination and computed tomography (CT) examination. All were found to have upper tract obstruction. All were managed with immediate abscess drainage and three had elective nephrectomy once the infection had resolved. No patients died of their perinephric abscess.

These four cases illustrate that although advances in antibiotics, imaging and percutaneous management have improved the speed of diagnosis and reduced the mortality in patients with perinephric abscesses, the neurologically impaired population continues to remain at significant risk for the development and the delayed diagnosis of these morbid renal infections.