New thoughts concerning xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis (X P)

A clinical and roentgenographic analysis of 13 patients with pathologically proved xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis (X-P) has demonstrated that many previously accepted truisms associated with this disease may not be valid. As a result of this study it is suggested that X-P: does have a predominant female distribution, may arise relatively acutely, can be associated with a well functioning kidney, may destroy the kidney and collecting system, does not demonstrate neovascularity, can be distinguished angiographically from hypernephroma, and may be associated with diabetes. Other important facts were again observed: X-P is still often associated with staghorn calculi and urinary tract obstruction, and Proteus mirabilis is the main offending organism.