Kidney abscess (patient information)

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Editors-in-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. Associate Editor-In-Chief: Ujjwal Rastogi, MBBS [mailto:urastogi@perfuse.org]

Overview
Perirenal abscess is a pocket of pus caused by an infection around one or both kidneys.

What are the symptoms of Kidney abscess?
Symptoms of perirenal abscess include:
 * Chills
 * Fever
 * Pain in the flank (side of the abdomen) or abdomen, which may extend to the groin or down the leg
 * Sweats

What causes Kidney abscess?
Most perirenal abscesses are caused by urinary tract infections that start in the bladder, spread to the kidney, and then spread to the area around the kidney. Other causes of perirenal abscess include surgery in the urinary tract or reproductive system and bloodstream infection.

Who is at highest risk?
The biggest risk factor for perirenal abscess is kidney stones that block the flow of urine and provide a place for an infection to grow. Bacteria tend to stick to the stones and antibiotics can't kill the bacteria there.

Stones are found in 20 - 60% of patients with perirenal abscess. Other risk factors for perirenal abscess include:
 * Diabetes
 * Having an abnormal urinary tract
 * Trauma

When to seek urgent medical care?
Call your health care provider if you have a history of kidney stones and develop:
 * Abdominal pain
 * Burning with urination
 * Chills
 * Fever
 * Urinary tract infection

Diagnosis
Signs of perirenal abscess include tenderness in the back or abdomen.

Tests include:
 * CT scan
 * Ultrasound of the abdomen
 * Urinalysis
 * Urine culture

Treatment options
To treat perirenal abscess, the pus can be drained through a catheter that is placed through the skin or with surgery. Antibiotics should also be given, at first through a vein (IV).

Where to find medical care for Kidney abscess?
Directions to Hospitals Treating Kidney abscess

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?
In general, quick diagnosis and treatment of perirenal abscess should lead to a good outcome. Kidney stones must be treated to avoid further infections.

In rare cases, the infection can spread beyond the kidney area and into the bloodstream, which can be deadly.

Possible complications
If you have kidney stones, the infection may not go away.

Prevention
If you have kidney stones, ask your doctor about the best way to treat them to avoid a perirenal abscess. If you undergo urologic surgery, keep the surgical area as clean as possible.