Acute lobar nephronia: a case report.

Acute lobar nephronia (ALN), a term analogous to acute lobar pneumonia, refers to a renal mass caused by acute focal infection without liquefaction. An alternative term is acute focal bacterial nephritis (AFBN). Fever, flank pain or back pain are the most frequently encountered clinical characteristics. Imaging modalities used to establish a definite diagnosis of acute lobar nephronia included sonography, computed tomography and nuclear medicine. Uroradiographic findings in this condition can mimic a renal abscess or neoplasm. Further distinction between acute lobar nephronia and other renal masses is aided by the appropriate use of renal sonography and computerized tomography is the most effective and least costly method in diagnosis. Serial sonograms can be used to monitor response to antibiotic therapy. Clinical and uroradiographic characteristics of a six year-old female patient with acute lobar nephronia are presented, along with a review of literature.