EMPHYSEMATOUS PYELONEPHRITIS

Emphysematous pyelonephritis, an uncommon severe necrotizing infection of the kidney, usually associated with diabetes mellitus, is a potent ially fatal illness. We present a case of a 75-year-old woman with dia betes who was admitted with ''pyelonephritis.'' The computed tomograph y scan of her abdomen revealed gas in the renal parenchyma, and emphys ematous pyelonephritis was diagnosed. The patient had a total nephrect omy, and was treated with antibiotics. Blood cultures and operative cu ltures grew Escherichia coli.