[Urinary tract obstruction by Candida bezoars, or fungus balls]

Two patients admitted to an intensive care unit for severe bacterial infection develops Candida albicans superinfection with obstruction of the urinary canals by "fungus balls". The development of medico-surgical techniques using antibiotics and immunosuppressive drugs accounts for the increasing incidence of disseminated candidiasis. The kidneys are particularly sensitive to Candida infections. Fungus balls are conglomerates of mycelium which may result in obstruction of the urinary tract. Their clinical, radiological and ultrasonic features, as well as the microbiological and serological diagnostic problems they raise are described. Ultrasonically guided percutaneous nephrostomy is a very interesting technique for the diagnosis of the condition and its local treatment by drainage and lavage with amphotericin B. This antifungal, combined with flucytosine is still used for the systemic treatment of candidiasis.