[Kidney carbuncle: diagnostic, bacteriological and therapeutic considerations. Apropos of 11 cases]

Renal carbuncle is a cortical lesion following bacteremia, occurring in patient without any urologic known problems. The analysis of 11 consecutive renal carbuncles showed that one should consider the diagnosis of renal carbuncle in young patients with flank pain, fever, and absence of significant leucocyturia. Our study confirms that renal carbuncle is always caused by staphylococcus aureus and that treatment is based on appropriate antibiotherapy. Isolation of the bacteria was difficult unless ponction of carbuncle under ultrasound control was performed. The usefulness of ultrasonography for the diagnosis of renal carbuncle and for its distinction from other suppurative renal lesions is emphasized.