Percutaneous drainage in emphysematous pyelonephritis--an alternative to major surgery.

Emphysematous pyelonephritis is a rare, life-threatening infection of the kidney associated with the production of gas, usually found in diabetic patients. Experience of this condition reported in the literature suggests that vigorous medical treatment and early nephrectomy are advisable. We report a case in which percutaneous renal drainage combined with medical therapy produced not only complete recovery of the patient, but also preservation of renal function on the affected side.