[Diagnosis and therapy of pyonephrosis in infancy and childhood].

A diagnostic schedule in pyonephrosis was followed in thirteen infants and children. Obstruction of the urinary tract could be demonstrated in 12 patients, non-obstructive pyonephrosis was present in one case. Congenital obstructive malformation of the urinary tract was found in 7 patients, obstruction was acquired in 5. Sonographically, pyonephrosis could be diagnosed in 8 patients (64.3%). Excretory urography (10/13) was helpful in no actual case. Sonographical-guided percutaneous nephrostomies were performed in 5 patients and operative nephrostomies in 4. Emergency-nephrectomies were done in 4 patients. A tap of the renal pelvis is the best way for early diagnosis whenever pyonephrosis is clinically suspected.