Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis: presentation and management

Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis (XGP) is characterized by the presence of lipidladen foamy macrophages with both acute and chronic phase inflammatory cells. The aim of the study is to present our experience about patients with Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis. 29 patients were evaluated through a complete anamnesis and the preoperative management included routine blood and biochemical tests, urine culture and renal ultrasound, intravenous urography and computed tomography (CT). All patients underwent open nephrectomy followed by the pathological exam. The main symptoms of these patients were fever and flank pain. Preoperative laboratory tests revealed anemia, leukocytosis and increasing levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine. Kidney failure was noticed in almost half of the cases. This study succeeded to evaluate the demographic, clinical, biological, surgical and histological characteristics. A pathological diagnosis is mandatory mainly for the evaluation of its coexistence with renal carcinoma.