Successful conservative management of emphysematous pyelonephritis, bilateral or in a solitary kidney

Emphysematous pyelonephritis, bilateral or in a solitary kidney, is a life-threatening condition that requires prompt diagnosis and early intervention. Reported mortality is high, despite desperate surgical measures often ending in loss of renal unit, but medical management, possibly combined with percutaneous drainage, is sometimes successful. We report two cases of emphysematous pyelonephritis, one bilateral and one in a solitary kidney, with successful conservative management. Predisposing factors were insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and micronodular cirrhosis secondary to chronic alcoholism. Prompt sonographic diagnosis determined the success of conservative management. Escherichia coli was identified as causal factor. In the bilateral case the clinical picture improved within 48 h after control of diabetes and broad-spectrum antibiotic treatment. For the affected solitary kidney, percutaneous drainage and ureteric catheterization were required.