PYONEPHROSIS
Pyonephrosis Definition, Clinical Features, Diagnosis and Management
Definition
Pyonephrosis refers to a severe inflammatory condition of the kidney, where a hydronephrotic kidney becomes infected and fills with pus.
Clinical Features
- Severe flank pain
- Pyrexia (fever)
- Icterus (jaundice)
- Anuria (failure to pass urine)
- Uraemia (toxicity due to waste products)
- Abdominal tenderness
Pathology
Pyonephrosis is characterized by:
- Dilatation of the renal pelvis and calyces
- Infection of the renal parenchyma
- Suppuration (pus formation) in the renal parenchyma
- Necrosis (death) of renal tissue
Types
Pyonephrosis can be classified into:
- Acute pyonephrosis
- Chronic pyonephrosis
- Pyonephrosis associated with urinary tract obstruction
Causes
Causes of pyonephrosis include:
- Urinary tract obstruction
- Infection of the urinary tract
- Congenital anomalies of the urinary tract
- Trauma to the kidney
- Tumors of the urinary tract
Investigations
Investigations for pyonephrosis include:
- Ultrasound of the abdomen
- Intravenous urography (IVU)
- Computed tomography (CT) scan of the abdomen
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the abdomen
- Urine analysis
- Blood tests to check for infection and uraemia
Complications
Complications of pyonephrosis include:
- Sepsis (blood infection)
- Renal failure
- Peritonitis (inflammation of the abdominal lining)
- Abscess formation
Management
Management of pyonephrosis involves:
- Antibiotic therapy
- Urinary tract drainage
- Decompression of the obstructed kidney
- Nephrostomy (insertion of a tube into the kidney to drain urine)
- Surgery to relieve the obstruction
Treatment
Treatment options for pyonephrosis include:
- Conservative management (antibiotics and urinary tract drainage)
- Surgical intervention (nephrostomy or surgery to relieve the obstruction)
- Percutaneous nephrostomy (insertion of a tube into the kidney through the skin)
Homoeopathic Therapeutic Medicines
- Aconitum napellus: for pain and inflammation
- Arnica montana: for inflammation and trauma
- Belladonna: for fever and inflammation
- Bryonia alba: for pain and inflammation
- Chamomilla: for anxiety and restlessness
- Ferrum phosphoricum: for anemia and infection
- Graphites: for skin and urinary tract symptoms
- Lachesis: for pain and inflammation
- Nux vomica: for nausea and vomiting
- Pulsatilla: for female urinary tract symptoms
Indications:
- Pyonephrosis
- Urinary tract infection
- Kidney stones
- Renal colic
- Painful urination
Note: The above list is not exhaustive and homoeopathic medicines should be used under the guidance of a qualified homoeopathic practitioner.