Infantile acute lobar nephritis

INTRODUCTION: Acute lobar nephronia is a focal interstitial inflammation of the kidney healing well on conservative therapy. OBJECTIVE: Authors call attention on this rare pathological entity and emphasize the role of the imaging modalities in making the diagnosis. Short literature review is also given. PATIENT AND METHODS: An 11 months old babyboy presented with febrile seizure and palpable right flank mass. Abdominal sonography and CT were done. RESULTS: Urine analysis gave evidence of upper urinary tract infection. Hyperechogenic solid mass in the right kidney was seen on sonography. Diagnosis of infection suspected on sonography has been confirmed by abdominal CT scan and possibility of tumor has been ruled out. Acute lobar nephronia was diagnosed and the patient has been treated successfully with antibiotics. CONCLUSION: Acute lobar nephronia may mimic both abscess and tumor. Differential diagnosis is very important because treatment of acute lobar nephronia is nonsurgical.