CT OF RENAL DENSITIES CAUSED BY INTRAVENOUS-INFUSION OF ANTIBIOTICS

Objective: Patients treated with intravenous antibiotics were seen to have increased attenuation of the renal collecting system on CT scan o f the abdomen. To detect whether this was related to certain antibioti cs, we undertook a prospective study on patients being treated for sep sis while receiving intravenous antibiotics. In addition, we also test ed antibiotics administered to rabbits. Materials and Methods: Fourtee n patients were tested with cefazolin, gentamicin, cefotaxime, vancomy cin, amoxicillin and clavulanic acid (Augmentin), and metronidazole. T en groups of rabbits received these drugs by intravenous injection. Co mputed tomography scan of the kidneys was performed prior to and 2 h a fter intravenous injection of antibiotics. Fourteen patients who under went CT scan of the abdomen and were treated by intravenous antibiotic s were scanned without contrast agent injection. Results: According to our results, cefazolin, cefotaxime, and gentamicin seemed to be the m ost potent antibiotics in inducing increased attenuation of the collec ting system. This effect was synergistic when a combination of drugs w as used. Conclusion: The elucidation of the potential increase in atte nuation of the collecting system by antibiotics in normally functionin g kidneys should help to eliminate confusion with other pathologies su ch as medullary sponge kidney.