[Diagnosis and therapy of xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis]

Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis (XGP) is a rare, unilateral and multifocal inflammatory response of the kidney against bacterial toxins. In the Department of Urology of the University of Freiburg 6 patients with XGP were observed within 10 years. Despite modern diagnostic procedures differential diagnosis from kidney tumors and other parenchymal kidney diseases remains difficult. Recurrent urinary tract infections, fever, urolithiasis, obstruction and leucocytosis may be indicative of XGP. The diagnosis has to be confirmed by surgical intervention which preferably should preserve functioning renal tissue. The prognosis in general is quite good.