Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis due to calculi : Report of 63 cases and review of literature

Objective: To examine the relationship between clinical history and results of renal investigations in patients with xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis. Methods: A retrospective review was conducted on 63 cases presentingwith histopathological diagnosis of xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis between 1995 to 2002, at the department of Urology, Bolan Medical College and Sandeman Provincial Teaching Hospital Quetta. Results: There were 26 males and 37 females having an average follow up of two years. Positive findings on examination and investigations at presentation were fever and flank pain in 59 (93.6%) patients and pyuria in 34 (53.9%) patients. All the patients had renal and ureteric calculi with no or severe reduction in the function of the affected kidney on DTPA scan. Hypertrophy of the contra lateral kidney was seen in 56(88.8%) patients. Conclusion: Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis is a common entity in this part of the world. Late referral leads to loss of the kidney. Pre-operative diagnosis of the condition is desirable and if surgery is mandatory then all infected tissues have to be removed.