Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis combined with emphysematous pyelonephritis: A rare case report

Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis (XGP) is a rare and intense type of chronic kidney infection characterized by subversion of the renal tissue and its replacement by lipid- laden macrophages. XGP combined with emphysematous pyelonephritis(EPN) is rare and up until now only 7 cases with these presentations have been reported; so abundant clinical skills and appropriate radiographic imaging is required to reach the correct diagnosis. In this report, we present a case with two uncommon variants of pyelonephritis.

A 55-year-old female presented with a history of type 2 diabetes mellitus, and a stroke leading to a left-sided hemiplegia state for 7 years, coronary artery bypass grafting(CABG), hypertension(HTN) , seizure, progressive fatigue, loss of appetite , fecal and urinary incontinence and right costovertebral angle tenderness. According to clinical signs, symptoms and documentation of gas within the renal parenchyma on computed tomography (CT) of abdomen, of EPN diagnosis was suggested; however histopathologic evaluation showed acute emphysematous pyelonephritis on chronic xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis.

EPN can emerge in a patient suffering from XPG which would add to the severity of the situation. In the case presented, concurrent underlying diseases such as diabetes mellitus, stroke, CABG, HTN along with severe fatigue and loss of appetite existed. Surgical treatment produces dramatic results.