XANTHOGRANULOMATOUS PYELONEPHRITIS IN PEDIATRIC-PATIENTS

We observed xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis in 5 of 27 nephrectomie s (18.5%) performed for end stage pyelonephritis. Two patients were 5 months old or younger, of normal birth weight and the products of unco mplicated full-term pregnancies. In all cases clinical histories and f indings were consistent with xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis yet th is diagnosis was suspected prospectively in only 1 case. Our observati ons, supported by recent literature, suggest that xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis may occur more commonly than previously reported. In ad dition, the clinical and pathological expression of this process in th e pediatric population appears to be no different from that in adults. The true incidence and presumed chronicity of this process need to be reevaluated in light of recent data.