[Pathology of renal tuberculosis (author's transl)]

Introduction of specific chemotherapy and vaccination leads to a remarkable recession of renal tuberculosis in the younger age group. Renal tuberculosis is the result of a haematogenous spread of tubercle bacillus. Haematogenous spreading occurs immediately after primary infection, or, in elderly patients, in combination with recurrency of tuberculous foci in lungs and hilar-lymphnodes. Simultaneous metastasis in the skeleton, especially in the vertebrae, are observed in 30%. The incubation period between tuberculous spread and clinical manifestation of renal tuberculosis lasts several years, in the average 5-8 years, for calcareous kidneys it may last as long as 20 years and more, for tuberculous pyelitis only a few months. Today it is possible to treat renal tuberculosis with drugs (Streptomycin, PAS and INH). In 13% the cicatrisation is combined with obstruction of calices and partial hydronephrosis, in 7% with obstruction of the ureter and total hydronephrosis. Early chemotherapy may prevent the development of tuberculous hydronephrosis.