History

Because of nonspecific findings, in many cases, diagnosing a perinephric abscess can be difficult. Typically, patients present with a history of skin infection or urinary tract infection (UTI). Such infections may be followed in 1-2 weeks by fever and unilateral flank pain. However, this is an uncommon presentation.

Onset of symptoms is often insidious, and 58% of patients have had symptoms for more than 14 days.

Presenting symptoms are often nonspecific. Only occasionally, a patient presents with a syndrome suggestive of acute pyelonephritis, with fever and abdominal and flank pain (usually unilateral). One distinguishing feature to note is that most patients with uncomplicated pyelonephritis are symptomatic for less than 5 days before hospitalization, whereas most patients with perinephric abscesses are symptomatic for more than 5 days.

The most common symptoms include fever (66-90%), flank or abdominal pain (40-50%), chills (40%), dysuria (40%), weight loss, lethargy, and gastrointestinal symptoms (25%). Pleuritic pain may occur due to diaphragmatic irritation. If the abscess is pressing on the adjacent nerves, referred pain may be felt in the groin, thighs, or knees.

Physical Examination

Physical findings include flank or costovertebral tenderness. When abdominal tenderness is present (60%), it may complicate the diagnosis. Patients may present with rigidity and fullness. A flank mass is palpable if the abscess is large or located in the inferior pole of the kidney space (9-47%). A renal malignancy must be ruled out in these patients with appropriate radiographic studies (eg, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging).

Splinting may be present, with resultant scoliosis. Patients may experience pain upon bending toward the contralateral side, upon active flexion of the ipsilateral thigh against resistance, and upon extension of the thigh while walking. Features that suggest the possible diagnosis of perinephric abscess include the following:

Unilateral flank pain and fever
No response to treatment for acute pyelonephritis
Pyrexia of unknown origin
Unexplained peritonitis, pelvic abscess, and empyema

Workup

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Media Gallery

Sonogram showing large anechoic fluid collection in perinephric abscess (arrow).
Diagnostic CT prior to intervention.
CT post percutaneous drainage.

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Author

Edward David Kim, MD, FACS Professor of Urology, Department of Urology, University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine; Consulting Staff, University of Tennessee Medical Center

Edward David Kim, MD, FACS is a member of the following medical societies: American Society for Reproductive Medicine, American Urological Association, Sexual Medicine Society of North America, Society for Male Reproduction and Urology, Society for the Study of Male Reproduction, Tennessee Medical Association

Disclosure: Serve(d) as a speaker or a member of a speakers bureau for: Endo, Antares.

Coauthor(s)

Jared Moss, MD Resident Physician, Division of Urology, University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine

Jared Moss, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Received salary from Medscape for employment. for: Medscape.

Chief Editor

Bradley Fields Schwartz, DO, FACS Professor of Urology, Director, Center for Laparoscopy and Endourology, Department of Surgery, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine

Bradley Fields Schwartz, DO, FACS is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Surgeons, American Urological Association, Association of Military Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons, Endourological Society, Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons, Society of University Urologists

Disclosure: Serve(d) as a director, officer, partner, employee, advisor, consultant or trustee for: Endourological Society Board of Directors; President Elect North Central Section of the American Urological Association<br/>Serve(d) as a speaker or a member of a speakers bureau for: Cook Medical.

Additional Contributors

Daniel B Rukstalis, MD Professor of Urology, Wake Forest Baptist Health System, Wake Forest University School of Medicine

Daniel B Rukstalis, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Association for the Advancement of Science, American Urological Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Perinephric Abscess Clinical Presentation

History

Physical Examination

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