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Infection of the Upper Urinary Tract

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Urological Emergencies

Part of the book series: Current Clinical Urology ((CCU))

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Abstract

Infection of the upper urinary tract is relatively common and associated with potentially serious sequelae. Both uncomplicated pyelonephritis and purulent renal infections can be difficult to diagnose and require a high index of suspicion. Accurate identification of the causative organism allows the tailored use of antibiotic therapy, and careful follow-up and subsequent specimen culture help ensure adequate treatment of the infection.

Radiographic studies, primarily computed tomography, are warranted when the clinical picture is either unclear or deteriorates. Aggressive resuscitation and management may be necessary when systemic manifestation or sepsis results. The early identification of more severe complications of renal infection is crucial for prompt intervention, which is indicated by the severity of infection and size of abscess. The evolution of minimally invasive techniques of drainage for renal and perinephric abscess has reduced patient morbidity; however, inadequate drainage may result in significant morbidity and mortality and open surgical drainage and/or nephrectomy may still be required.

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Acknowledgment

All imaging studies courtesy of Drs. Benjamin Yeh and Fergus Coakley, Department of Radiology, University of California, San Francisco.

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  1. Department of Urology, University of California San Francisco, 1600 Divisadero Street, San Francisco, CA, 94115, USA

    Maxwell V. Meng

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  1. Maxwell V. Meng
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Correspondence to Maxwell V. Meng .

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  1. School of Medicine, Harborview Medical Center, University of Washington, 1959 NE Pacific Street Box 356510, Seattle, 98195, Washington, USA

    Hunter Wessells

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Meng, M.V. (2013). Infection of the Upper Urinary Tract. In: Wessells, H. (eds) Urological Emergencies. Current Clinical Urology. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-62703-423-4_8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-62703-423-4_8

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