[Emphysematous pyelonephritis: report of a case].

A case of emphysematous pyelonephritis is presented. A 54-year-old woman with diabetes mellitus was admitted because of bilateral ureteral stones. Five days after bilateral ureterolithotomy, she developed left flank pain, chills and fever. Plain x-rays of the abdomen (KUB) showed an enlarged left kidney with a giant gas shadow on the left renal area and no evidence of stone shadow. Drip infusion pyelogram revealed a decrease in the left renal function and the presence of the gas in the pyelocalyceal system. Contrast-enhanced computerized tomograms confirmed the presence of the gas in the parenchyma and pyelocalyceal system. The patient was treated conservatively with intensive antibiotic therapy, intravenous fluids and control of diabetes mellitus. After 3 weeks of therapy, the gas shadow disappeared, and a good recovery of renal architecture and function was achieved.