Contemporary imaging of renal inflammatory disease.

In addition to plain films and conventional excretory urography, ultrasound, computed tomography, and radionuclide scanning may contribute to the assessment of a wide spectrum of renal inflammatory diseases. This article discusses the role of contemporary imaging modalities in the diagnosis and management of patients with renal inflammatory lesions, including acute focal and diffuse bacterial infections, intra- and extrarenal abscess collections, pyonephrosis, xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis, fungal infection, tuberculosis, and malakoplakia of the upper urinary tract.