title: Nephrobronchial fistula and lung abscess resulting from nephrolithiasis and pyelonephritis.
abstract: There are multiple etiologies reported as causes of lung abscess; however, this differential rarely includes intra-abdominal abnormalities other than extension of a hepatic process. We describe a patient who was found to have a lung abscess and empyema resulting from the development of a nephrobronchial fistula secondary to nephrolithiasis and pyelonephritis. The patient had no urinary symptoms or known abdominopelvic infection and the etiology of lung abscess was only incidentally discovered after chest CT revealed extension of pleural fluid below the diaphragm.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO 63110, USA.
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: O'Brien
authors.forename: N A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Ettinger
mesh_terms: D001983:Bronchial Fistula / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D016724:Empyema, Pleural / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007669:Kidney Calculi / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D008169:Lung Abscess / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011704:Pyelonephritis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D012008:Recurrence; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D014548:Urinary Fistula / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*