Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis

The clinical, radiographic and pathological findings of 10 cases of Xanthogranulomatous Pyelonephritis have been reviewed. It is a form of renal suppuration and obstruction most commonly seen in middle aged women although all ages and both sexes may be affected. Gram negative organism are usually present and bilateral involvement has been reported rarely. Preoperative angiography may increase the accuracy of differentiating this disorder from hipernephroma and may aid the surgeon is planning his approach to kidney resection depending upon the staging of Xanthogranulomatous Pyelonephritis. Chronic renal failure is not usually a feature in this lesion and nephrectomy is curative without any incidence of recurrence. (author)