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Infected hydronephrosis and pyonephrosis
Medical expert of the article
Last reviewed: 07.07.2025
These terms "infected hydronephrosis and pyonephrosis" denote different stages of secondary kidney infection against the background of hydronephrosis.
Pyonephrosis is a special form of acute and chronic pyelonephritis associated with obstruction of the ureter by a stone or stricture. The most common site of obstruction is the ureteropelvic junction.
[ Symptoms of infected hydronephrosis and pyonephrosis.
The patient's condition is usually extremely severe, the following symptoms of pyonephrosis are revealed: high body temperature, chills, pain in the lumbar region. The anamnesis includes urolithiasis, recurrent urinary tract infections and urological interventions. In infected hydronephrosis, the renal pelvis and calyces are also dilated, but its contents are homogeneous.
Where does it hurt?
Diagnostics of infected hydronephrosis and pyonephrosis.
Characteristic signs in ultrasound examination of the kidneys: large, dilated renal pelvis and calyces filled with heterogeneous contents (purulent urine, tissue fragments), and pronounced manifestations of the infectious process in the papillae and medulla of the kidney. In pyonephrosis, purulent melting of the renal parenchyma leads to a significant decrease in kidney function and is life-threatening.
What do need to examine?
What tests are needed?
Who to contact?
Treatment of infected hydronephrosis and pyonephrosis.
Treatment of pyonephrosis consists of parenteral administration of antibacterial drugs and drainage of the kidney. Subsequently, after sanitization of the urinary tract, elimination of obstruction is indicated.
Pyonephrosis is a serious disease that requires emergency surgical treatment (nephrectomy) and parenteral administration of antibiotics.