Emphysematous Pyelonephritis: Our Experience in 2 Years at Al Ameen Medical College, Vijayapur

Background: Emphysematous pyelonephritis (EPN) is a rare, severe, and life-threatening infection of the renal parenchyma characterized by gas formation within the renal tissues and surrounding areas. This study aims to describe the clinical, radiological, and therapeutic characteristics of patients diagnosed with EPN at Al Ameen Medical College, Vijayapur, over a two-year period. A cross Methods: -sectional observational descriptive study was conducted involving 18 patients diagnosed with EPN. Data on demographic proles, clinical presentations, radiological ndings, management strategies, and outcomes were collected and analyzed. The management strategies were categorized into medical and surgical interventions. Statistical analysis was performed to compare the complication rates between the two groups. The mean age of the Results: patients was 55.6 years, with equal distribution of males and females. Diabetes mellitus was present in 61.1% of the patients. Clinical presentations included fever, ank pain, and dysuria. Radiological imaging (CT scans), conrmed the diagnosis by revealing gas formation in the renal parenchyma. Medical management was administered to 11 patients, while 7 patients underwent surgical interventions. The average hospital stay was 9.73 days for medical management and 14.29 days for surgical management. Complications were more frequent in the surgical group (71.4%) compared to the medical group (27.3%), but the difference was not statistically signicant (p-value = 0.177). The overall recovery rate was 100%. Conclusions: Early recognition and prompt treatment are essential for improving outcomes in EPN. Both medical and surgical management strategies have their respective roles, and the choice of treatment should be individualized based on the patient's clinical condition. Enhanced diabetes management and preventive measures against UTI are crucial in reducing the incidence of EPN. Further research with larger sample sizes and multi-center collaborations is warranted to better understand and manage this rare but serious condition.