title: Emphysematous pyelonephritis in a renal transplant recipient--is it possible to salvage the graft?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Emphysematous pyelonephritis (EPN) is a rare but potentially devastating complication after renal transplantation. It carries the risk of graft loss and is associated with a high mortality. The majority of cases reported thus far have undergone graft nephrectomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report the case of a live-related renal transplant recipient who presented 10 years later with fever, graft tenderness and worsening serum creatinine. Computed tomography (CT) revealed emphysematous pyelonephritis, with a large perinephric collection. The case was managed successfully by percutaneous drainage.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Percutaneous drainage is a safe and effective therapeutic modality in cases of EPN in transplant recipients, and allows salvage of the renal allograft in most cases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India. docvivek@gmail.com
authors.forename: Venkatramani
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Vivek
authors.forename: Arabind
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Panda
authors.forename: Antony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Devasia
mesh_terms: D004322:Drainage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011704:Pyelonephritis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D011859:Radiography; D016896:Treatment Outcome