The role of computed tomography in the diagnosis of renal and perirenal abscesses.

Computed tomography was done on 4 patients suspected of having an intrarenal or perirenal abscess based on clinical grounds and an abnormal excretory urogram. Intrarenal abscesses with perinephric extension were demonstrated in 3 patients and a solitary perinephric abscess was demonstrated in 1. Computed tomography is a valuable tool in the diagnostic study of suspected intrarenal and perirenal abscesses because not only can the primary abscess be shown but also its possible extrarenal extension.