title: Imaging in upper urinary tract infections.
abstract: Most infections of the upper urinary tract are straightforward and do not require any emergency radiological investigations. A sonogram carried out within 48 hours will in most cases be sufficient to eliminate obstructed pyelonephritis requiring emergency drainage of urine. In complicated cases, or those affecting already weakened areas, an urgent CT scan is necessary, preferably after injection of iodinated contrast medium if renal function permits. CT scanning is far better at diagnosis than sonography as well as at investigating whether there are complications. Furthermore, it is essential that the radiologist is aware of unusual and rare forms of pyelonephritis, especially pseudotumoural forms, so that clinicians can be pointed towards the appropriate treatment, avoiding unnecessary and invasive interventions.
authors.affiliation: General Radiology Department, Bicêtre Hospital, AP-HP, University Paris Sud, 78, rue du Général-Leclerc, 94275 Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ifergan
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pommier
authors.forename: M-C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Brion
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Glas
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rocher
authors.forename: M-F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Bellin
mesh_terms: D000038:Abscess / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D011704:Pyelonephritis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D011705:Pyelonephritis, Xanthogranulomatous; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media