A 78-year-old diabetic man presents with a spiking fever and flank pain.

Fig. 65.1 Axial contrast-enhanced CT image in a diabetic patient with a history of urinary tract infection shows an ill-defined, hypodense corticomedullary renal abscess.

Renal abscess

• Lymphoma
  
• Complicated cyst
  
• Renal cell carcinoma
  
• Hydatid cyst
  
• Renal infarct
  
• Metastases
  
• Calyceal diverticulum
  
• Focal xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis

A renal abscess is an uncommon renal condition. It can be cortical or corticomedullary, depending on the route of infection. When left untreated, a renal abscess can lead to significant mortality and morbidity. With the use of image-guided intervention techniques and antibiotics, mortality and morbidity due to renal abscess are significantly reduced.

• Fever
  
• Chills
  
• Malaise
  
• Fatigue
  
• Pain in the abdomen and/or flanks
  
• Septic shock
  
• Costovertebral angle tenderness