A Case of Emphysematous Pyelonephritis Complicated with Septic Pulmonary Embolism

Korean Journal of Nephrology 2011;30(1):112-115.

Jung Hee Koh, Jung Seop Eom, Jung Sub Kim, Sang Heon Song, Im Soo Kwak and Eun Young Seong

Divison of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Busan, Korea

증례 : 기종성 신우신염에 합병된 감염성 폐색전증 1예

고정희, 엄중섭, 김정섭, 송상헌, 곽임수, 성은영

부산대학교 의학전문대학원 내과학교실

Abstract

Emphysematous pyelonephritis is an unusual, severe gas-forming infection of renal parenchyma and its surrounding areas. It is a rare cause of septic pulmonary embolism. We report on a case of emphysematous pyelonephritis complicated with renal vein thrombosis and septic pulmonary embolism with review of the literature. A 51-year-old diabetic woman was admitted to our hospital with symptoms of fever, diffuse abdominal pain and nausea. Her initial laboratory findings showed pyuria and leukocytosis. She was diagnosed with acute pyelonephritis with abscess formation on contrast enhanced abdominal CT. She was treated with antibiotics and percutaneous abscess aspiration, but progressed to emphysematous pyelonephritis complicated with renal vein thrombosis and septic pulmonary embolism. Finally she underwent the left total nephrectomy.

Key Words: Pyelonephritis, Pulmonary embolism, Sepsis