title: Emphysematous pyelonephritis, a rare cause of pneumoperitoneum: a case report and review of literature.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Emphysematous pyelonephritis is a gas-producing necrotizing bacterial infection that involves the renal parenchyma and perirenal tissue.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report on a case of a 55 year old Caucasian male with no prior medical history presented with left flank pain and malaise. He was diagnosed with emphysematous pyelonephritis, and was successfully treated in our department. The case is presented along with a literature review.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Prompt diagnosis and early treatment is crucial because of the high rate of mortality. Therapeutic modalities and prognostic factors regarding emphysematous pyelonephritis remain controversial.
authors.affiliation: Second Department of Surgery, 417 NIMTS-Nosileutiko Idrima Metohikou Tameiou Stratou (Military Veterans' Fund Hospital), Athens, Greece. redemlag@yahoo.gr.
authors.forename: Alexandros
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Strofilas
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Manouras
authors.forename: Emmanuel E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Lagoudianakis
authors.forename: Aikaterini
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kotzadimitriou
authors.forename: Apostolos
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pappas
authors.forename: Ioannis
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Chrysikos
authors.forename: Evangelos
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Menenakos