Acute Pyelonephritis - Correlation of Clinical Parameter with Radiological Imaging Abnormalities

Area of Science:

• Nephrology
• Radiology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Pyelonephritis (PN) is a significant kidney infection requiring accurate diagnosis for effective management.
• Assessing the severity of PN often necessitates advanced radiological imaging beyond clinical and laboratory parameters.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare clinical and biochemical markers with radiological findings (Ultrasound - USG, Computed Tomography - CT) in patients diagnosed with Pyelonephritis (PN).

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of 100 Pyelonephritis (PN) patient records from January 2016 to December 2016.
• Comparison of clinical and biochemical data against USG and CT findings.
• Statistical analysis using SPSS version 15.0.

Main Results:

• Pyelonephritis (PN) was more common in females (62%), with a mean age of 48.7 years.
• The classical triad of PN symptoms was present in 87% of patients; 47% had acute kidney injury.
• Computed Tomography (CT) detected Pyelonephritis (PN) in 70% of cases, including 4% with Emphysematous PN (EPN) and 3% with renal abscess, outperforming USG in identifying these complications.

Conclusions:

• The clinical triad of fever, flank pain, and dysuria is common in Pyelonephritis (PN), though urine cultures are often negative.
• Ultrasound (USG) is effective for diagnosing uncomplicated Pyelonephritis (PN), but CT is superior for detecting complications like Emphysematous PN (EPN) and renal abscesses.