Complicated Genitourinary Tract Infections and Mimics

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Urology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Complicated genitourinary infections require accurate diagnosis.
• Mimicking conditions can lead to misdiagnosis and delayed treatment.
• Imaging plays a crucial role in differentiating infections from mimics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a pictorial review of complicated upper and lower genitourinary infections.
• To illustrate the imaging features of various genitourinary infections and their mimics.
• To aid clinicians in the timely and appropriate management of these conditions.

Main Methods:

• Review of imaging features for upper urinary tract infections (pyelonephritis, XGPN, etc.) and their mimics (renal infarcts, cancer, etc.).
• Review of imaging features for lower urinary tract infections (cystitis, fistulas, prostatitis, etc.) and their mimics (radiation cystitis, torsion, etc.).
• Pictorial presentation of characteristic imaging findings.

Main Results:

• Detailed imaging characteristics are presented for upper tract infections like acute pyelonephritis, xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis (XGPN), emphysematous pyelonephritis, perirenal abscess, and pyonephrosis.
• Mimics of upper tract infections, including contrast-associated nephrotoxicity, renal infarcts, malakoplakia, renal cell cancer, leukemia/lymphoma, and Castleman's disease, are illustrated.
• Imaging findings for lower tract infections such as cystitis, emphysematous cystitis, fistulas, Fournier gangrene, prostatitis, epididymitis, and orchitis are reviewed, alongside mimics like radiation cystitis, bladder cancer, and testicular pathologies.

Conclusions:

• Accurate recognition of imaging characteristics is essential for diagnosing complicated genitourinary infections.
• Differentiating infections from their mimics through imaging improves patient management.
• This pictorial review serves as a resource for clinicians to enhance diagnostic accuracy and timely intervention.