A Rare Case of Complicated Emphysematous Pyelonephritis

Emphysematous pyelonephritis is an acute severe necrotizing infection of the renal parenchyma and its surrounding tissues that results in the presence of gas in the renal parenchyma, collecting system, or perinephric tissue. The management of emphysematous pyelonephritis mainly depends on the extent of the disease. In this report, we present the case of a 48-year-old male who presented with left flank pain and imaging findings of left-sided emphysematous pyelonephritis with extensions of air into the pararenal space as well as a 5.6 cm bladder stone and severe right-sided hydroureteronephrosis. He initially received bilateral nephrostomy tubes, a left-sided perinephric draining tube, and intravenous antibiotics; however, his symptoms persisted. Ultimately, the patient underwent open cystolitholapaxy and left nephrectomy, with eventual resolution of symptoms.