Bilateral acute purulent destructive pyelonephritis after retrograde ureteroscopy and lithotripsy

The problem of urinary stone disease and acute destructive pyelonephritis remains to be relevant in the current urologic practice. The acute pyelonephritis is the most common infectious and inflammatory complication after retrograde ureteroscopy. According to data of leading urologists in Russian Federation and worldwide, the incidence of acute purulent pyelonephritis ranges from 0.1 to 0.2%. Infectious and inflammatory complications of retrograde ureteroscopy often require urgent interventions. Acute pyelonephritis can result in destructive changes in the renal parenchyma. In case of ineffective conservative measures, pyelonephritis can progress into sepsis with the development of multiple organ failure. Therefore, infectious and inflammatory complications require to start combined antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and detoxification therapy, as well as to resolve any upper urinary tract obstruction. If acute pyelonephritis leads to destructive phase with a formation of a carbuncle or an abscess in the kidney, an open surgery is indicated. Despite being minimally-invasive, retrograde ureteroscopy can lead to serious complications requiring an open surgical intervention. In some cases, the severity of the patients condition may require nephrectomy.