Xanthogranulomatous Pyelonephritis In A 7-year-old Nigerian Girl

Abstract

Background: Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis (XGP) is a rare, recurrent and chronic infection of the kidney that can lead to irreversible damage of the entire renal parenchyma necessitating chronic renal replacement therapy if not diagnosed and treated early. Abdominal ultrasound and CT are both sensitive diagnostic tools.

Case report: We report a rare case of localised XGP in a 7-year-old Nigerian girl detected with ultrasound and open biopsy. She presented with recurrent high fever, recurrent left loin pain and recurrent dysuria of 1 year. The patient failed conservative management and eventually had partial nephrectomy. She is currently clinically stable with normal renal function test.

Discussion: Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis, a unilateral disease, usually presents with flank and abdominal pain, fever, abdominal mass, malaise, growth retardation, and has a laboratory features of urinary tract infections caused by necrotizing organisms.