Emphysematous pyelonephritis: an emergency indication for the plain abdominal radiograph

We report the case of a 59-year-old diabetic woman with emphysematous pyelonephritis. The patient presented with nausea, vomiting, and right flank pain of three days duration. The diagnosis was established by a plain abdominal radiograph in the emergency department. Aggressive rehydration, control of diabetes, broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy, and early right nephrectomy resulted in rapid clinical improvement. Emphysematous pyelonephritis is rare and often fatal. Survival depends on early diagnosis and aggressive combined medical and surgical management.