Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis

Case contributed by Frank Gaillard
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Upper abdominal discomfort, vague constitutional symptoms and reduced renal function.

Patient Data

Age: Elderly
Gender: Female

Abdominal x-ray

x-ray

X-ray demonstrates a large right sided branched calculus which appears fragmented. 

CT demonstrates enlargement of the right kidney with multiple large renal calculi and rounded low-density regions associated with the calculus. The left kidney is markedly atrophic.

Annotated image

Single image from the CT with the right kidney outlined. Note how the dilated low-density calyces form an appearance which has been likened to that of the pads of a bear paw. 

MRI abdomen

mri

MRI demonstrates an enlarged right kidney with heterogeneous signal, hydronephrosis and a staghorn calculus. 

Case Discussion

Features are consistent with xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis and pre-existing staghorn calculus.

Case courtesy of Dr Laura Jimenez Juan (CT) and Dr Natalie Yang (MRI)

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