Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis in bilharzial patients: a report of 25 cases

The preoperative diagnosis of xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis is difficult due to its similarities to other renal diseases. Also, its relationship to bilharziasis to the best of our knowledge has never been studied. We attempted to explore these 2 problems by reviewing the files and pathological slides of 25 patients whose diagnosis was proved histopathologically to be xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis. We concluded that the diagnosis of xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis preoperatively still is difficult. We believe that bilharziasis is an etiologic factor for the disease by increasing the incidence of urinary tract obstruction, infection and stone formation. We plan to study this relationship further by examining the freshly removed kidneys immunohistologically.