Perirenal abscess: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia

P Perirenal abscess is a pocket of pus around one or both kidneys. It is caused by an infection.

T Causes
P Most perirenal abscesses are caused by urinary tract infections that start in the bladder. They then spread to the kidney, and to the area around the kidney. Surgery in the urinary tract or reproductive system or a bloodstream infection can also lead to a perirenal abscess.
P The biggest risk factor for perirenal abscess is kidney stones, by blockage of urine flow. This provides a place for an infection to grow. Bacteria tend to stick to the stones and antibiotics cannot kill the bacteria there.
P Stones are found in 20% to 60% of people with perirenal abscess. Other risk factors for perirenal abscess include:
- Diabetes
- Having an abnormal urinary tract
- Trauma
- IV drug use

T Symptoms
P Symptoms of perirenal abscess include:
- Chills
- Fever
- Pain in the flank (side of the abdomen) or abdomen, which may extend to the groin or down the leg
- Sweating

T Exams and Tests
P The health care provider will examine you. You may have tenderness in the back or abdomen.
P Tests include:
- Blood culture
- CT scan of the abdomen
- Ultrasound of the abdomen
- Urinalysis
- Urine culture

T Treatment
P To treat perirenal abscess, the pus can be drained through a catheter that is placed through the skin or with surgery. Antibiotics should also be given, at first through a vein (IV), then can switch to pills when infection starts improving.

T Outlook (Prognosis)
P In general, quick diagnosis and treatment of perirenal abscess should lead to a good outcome. Kidney stones must be treated to avoid further infections.
P In rare cases, the infection can spread beyond the kidney area and into the bloodstream. This can be deadly.

T Possible Complications
P If you have kidney stones, the infection may not go away.
P You may need to have the infection surgically removed.
P You may have to have the kidney removed if infection cannot be cleared or is recurrent. This is rare.

T When to Contact a Medical Professional
P Call your provider if you have a history of kidney stones and develop:
- Abdominal pain
- Burning with urination
- Chills
- Fever
- Urinary tract infection

T Prevention
P If you have kidney stones, ask your provider about the best way to treat them to avoid a perirenal abscess. If you undergo urologic surgery, keep the surgical area as clean as possible.

T Alternative Names
P Perinephric abscess

T Images
- Kidney anatomy
- Kidney - blood and urine flow

T References
P Chambers HF. Staphylococcal infections. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 25th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 288.
P Nicolle LE. Urinary tract infection in adults. In: Skorecki K, Chertow GM, Marsden PA, Taal MW, Yu ASL, eds. Brenner and Rector's The Kidney. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2016:chap 37.
P Schaeffer AJ, Matulewicz RS, Klumpp DJ. Infections of the urinary tract. In: Wein AJ, Kavoussi LR, Partin AW, Peters CA, eds. Campbell-Walsh Urology. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2016:chap 12.

T Review Date 1/30/2017
P Updated by: Jennifer Sobol, DO, urologist with the Michigan Institute of Urology, West Bloomfield, MI. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

