{"id":4924,"date":"2025-11-22T18:35:30","date_gmt":"2025-11-22T23:35:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/pathophysiology\/?post_type=chapter&p=4924"},"modified":"2025-12-07T23:14:20","modified_gmt":"2025-12-08T04:14:20","slug":"pyelonephritis","status":"web-only","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/pathophysiology\/chapter\/pyelonephritis\/","title":{"raw":"8p10 Pyelonephritis","rendered":"8p10 Pyelonephritis"},"content":{"raw":"Pyelonephritis \u2013 Inflammation, Damage, and Management<\/strong>\r\n

Pyelonephritis (Kidney Infection):<\/strong><\/h1>\r\n
    \r\n \t
  • Usually caused by ascending infection<\/strong>\u00a0from the\u00a0ureters<\/strong>, often from a lower UTI like cystitis.<\/li>\r\n \t
  • Pus (exudate)<\/strong>\u00a0fills the\u00a0renal pelvis<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0calyces<\/strong>, leading to inflammation.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

    Locations involved:<\/strong><\/h1>\r\n
      \r\n \t
    • \r\n
        \r\n \t
      • Renal Pelvis and Calyces:<\/strong>\u00a0Filled with pus (purulent exudate).<\/li>\r\n \t
      • Renal Medulla:<\/strong>\u00a0Center portion that may also become inflamed.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

        Complications:<\/strong><\/h1>\r\n
          \r\n \t
        • \r\n
            \r\n \t
          • Formation of\u00a0abscesses<\/strong>\u00a0or\u00a0necrosis<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n \t
          • Obstruction<\/strong>\u00a0of urine flow due to pus or swelling.<\/li>\r\n \t
          • Hydronephrosis:\u00a0 <\/strong>Excessive\u00a0urine buildup<\/strong>\u00a0in the\u00a0renal pelvis<\/strong>\u00a0due to\u00a0obstruction<\/strong>.\u00a0 Urine build-up in renal pelvis\u00a0increases pressure, compresses blood vessels<\/strong>, leading to\u00a0renal ischemia<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n \t
          • Urine pushing on\u00a0nephrons<\/strong>\u00a0damages kidney tissue.<\/li>\r\n \t
          • Repeated infections<\/strong>\u00a0cause\u00a0scarring<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0loss of functional nephrons<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

            Signs and Symptoms:<\/strong><\/h1>\r\n
              \r\n \t
            • Pain with urination, frequency, nocturia.<\/li>\r\n \t
            • Lower back or flank pain:<\/strong>\u00a0Dull, aching pain in the\u00a0lumbar region<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n \t
            • Fever:<\/strong>\u00a0Elevated body temperature indicating infection.<\/li>\r\n \t
            • Urinalysis findings:<\/strong>\r\n
                \r\n \t
              • Cloudy urine <\/strong>indicating pyuria and\/or proteinuria<\/li>\r\n \t
              • Urinary casts<\/strong>\u00a0composed of cellular debris in urine, indicating renal tubule damage.<\/li>\r\n \t
              • Presence of\u00a0blood<\/strong>,\u00a0protein<\/strong>, and\u00a0white blood cells<\/strong>\u00a0signals tissue damage and infection.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

                Treatment:<\/strong><\/h1>\r\n
                  \r\n \t
                • Antibiotics:<\/strong>\u00a0To eliminate bacterial infection.<\/li>\r\n \t
                • Pain management:<\/strong>\u00a0NSAIDs or acetaminophen.<\/li>\r\n \t
                • Drainage or surgery:<\/strong>\u00a0In severe cases, to relieve obstruction and\u00a0prevent kidney failure<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

                  Summary:<\/strong><\/h1>\r\nPyelonephritis is a serious kidney infection that can cause tissue damage, abscesses, and scarring, potentially leading to kidney failure<\/strong> if untreated. Signs include flank pain, fever, and abnormal urinalysis. Prompt antibiotics and management of obstructions are essential.\r\n\r\n ","rendered":"

                  Pyelonephritis \u2013 Inflammation, Damage, and Management<\/strong><\/p>\n

                  Pyelonephritis (Kidney Infection):<\/strong><\/h1>\n
                    \n
                  • Usually caused by ascending infection<\/strong>\u00a0from the\u00a0ureters<\/strong>, often from a lower UTI like cystitis.<\/li>\n
                  • Pus (exudate)<\/strong>\u00a0fills the\u00a0renal pelvis<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0calyces<\/strong>, leading to inflammation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                    Locations involved:<\/strong><\/h1>\n
                      \n
                    • \n
                        \n
                      • Renal Pelvis and Calyces:<\/strong>\u00a0Filled with pus (purulent exudate).<\/li>\n
                      • Renal Medulla:<\/strong>\u00a0Center portion that may also become inflamed.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                        Complications:<\/strong><\/h1>\n
                          \n
                        • \n
                            \n
                          • Formation of\u00a0abscesses<\/strong>\u00a0or\u00a0necrosis<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
                          • Obstruction<\/strong>\u00a0of urine flow due to pus or swelling.<\/li>\n
                          • Hydronephrosis:\u00a0 <\/strong>Excessive\u00a0urine buildup<\/strong>\u00a0in the\u00a0renal pelvis<\/strong>\u00a0due to\u00a0obstruction<\/strong>.\u00a0 Urine build-up in renal pelvis\u00a0increases pressure, compresses blood vessels<\/strong>, leading to\u00a0renal ischemia<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
                          • Urine pushing on\u00a0nephrons<\/strong>\u00a0damages kidney tissue.<\/li>\n
                          • Repeated infections<\/strong>\u00a0cause\u00a0scarring<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0loss of functional nephrons<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                            Signs and Symptoms:<\/strong><\/h1>\n
                              \n
                            • Pain with urination, frequency, nocturia.<\/li>\n
                            • Lower back or flank pain:<\/strong>\u00a0Dull, aching pain in the\u00a0lumbar region<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
                            • Fever:<\/strong>\u00a0Elevated body temperature indicating infection.<\/li>\n
                            • Urinalysis findings:<\/strong>\n
                                \n
                              • Cloudy urine <\/strong>indicating pyuria and\/or proteinuria<\/li>\n
                              • Urinary casts<\/strong>\u00a0composed of cellular debris in urine, indicating renal tubule damage.<\/li>\n
                              • Presence of\u00a0blood<\/strong>,\u00a0protein<\/strong>, and\u00a0white blood cells<\/strong>\u00a0signals tissue damage and infection.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                Treatment:<\/strong><\/h1>\n
                                  \n
                                • Antibiotics:<\/strong>\u00a0To eliminate bacterial infection.<\/li>\n
                                • Pain management:<\/strong>\u00a0NSAIDs or acetaminophen.<\/li>\n
                                • Drainage or surgery:<\/strong>\u00a0In severe cases, to relieve obstruction and\u00a0prevent kidney failure<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                  Summary:<\/strong><\/h1>\n

                                  Pyelonephritis is a serious kidney infection that can cause tissue damage, abscesses, and scarring, potentially leading to kidney failure<\/strong> if untreated. Signs include flank pain, fever, and abnormal urinalysis. Prompt antibiotics and management of obstructions are essential.<\/p>\n

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