[Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis in children. Report of 4 cases]

Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis (X.G.P.) is a rare unilateral manifestation of chronic interstitial nephritis. 4 new cases of X.G.P. in children are reported. The authors review 60 cases of the literature since 1963. The X.G.P. has no predominant sex distribution. The age extended especially between 1 to 5 years. The diffuse type is more common in boys, and the localized type in girls. The clinical signs : fever, abdominal pain, weight loss, urinary infection, abdominal mass. Proteus Mirabilis is the main organism in the diffuse form and Escherichia Coli in the focal form. Actually, the disease is often diagnosed before surgery. The treatment is always nephrectomy and the prognosis is very good (benign). The final diagnosis of X.G.P. can only be made by histological examination. Etiopathogenesis remains obscure : urinary tract infection and obstruction, arterial and veinous lesions, local immunity deficiency.