title: Acute renal carbuncle.
abstract: A renal carbuncle (cortical abscess) is an important and treatable consideration in the differential diagnosis of renal mass lesions. Diagnosis is accomplished using a combination of clinical, urographic, arteriographic and ultrasonographic findings. Ultrasound is an accurate and less invasive alternative to arteriography. Needle aspiration of the abscess contents may give a bacteriologic diagnosis. Non-surgical treatment with antibiotics alone may be curative. Five cases are presented, and clinical and radiologic features are reviewed.
mesh_terms: D000038:Abscess / Q000175:diagnosis; D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000792:Angiography; D002270:Carbuncle / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007672:Kidney Cortex; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014567:Urography