[Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis. Diagnostic and therapeutic problems. Report of three paediatric cases]

Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis (XGP) is an unusual and rare form of chronic renal suppuration in children, which appear to have a multifactorial pathogenesis. It is usually diffuse, but can remain localized to one part of the kidney, resulting in a misleading pseudoneoplastic appearance raising a problem of differential diagnosis with the other renal masses, particularly Wilms tumour. The authors present a retrospective analysis of three cases of XGP observed in the Monastir department of paediatric surgery. The preoperative diagnosis was pyonephrosis with perirenal abscess in two cases and Wilms tumour in the third case. The diagnosis of XGP was established on histological examination of the operative specimens. The aim of this study is to emphasize the diagnostic difficulties of this disease that, in localized forms, often lead to inappropriate treatment and to establish a treatment regimen for this rare disease.