Clinical Studies of Xanthogranulomatous Pyelonephritis / 대한비뇨기과학회지

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Because the preoperative diagnosis of xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis (XGP) is difficult due to its similarities to other renal diseases, the diagnosis is made postoperatively in most patients. The aim of this study was to improve preoperative diagnosis of this disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed clinical characteristics, laboratory and radiological findings, preoperative diagnoses, and operative methods of 6 patients with XGP who underwent operation from March 1991 to July 1998. Mean age was 49.8 years (range 28 to 80) and male to female ratio was 1 to 2. RESULTS: All 6 patients had flank pain and urinary tract infection. Among 6 patients, there were 3 patients (50%) with renal staghorn stone and 1 (16.7%) with ureteropelvic junction stricture. No patient was diagnosed as XGP preoperatively. Three patients (50%) diagnosed as pyonephrosis with staghorn stone preopratively underwent simple nephrectomy and 2 patients diagnosed as renal mass preoperatively underwent radical nephrectomy. One patient diagnosed as renal abscess extended to retroperitoneum and psoas muscle preoperatively was diagnosed as XGP through intraoperative frozen section biopsy of renal tissue and underwent partial nephrectomy and drainage. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative diagnosis of XGP will be raised through better understanding of the clinical characteristics and radiologic findings of this disease.