Renal fungus ball: a challenging clinical problem. 2017

Wei Phin Tan, and Ulku C Turba, and Leslie A Deane
Department of Urology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois - USA.

BACKGROUND We describe a case of renal pelvi-ureteric fungus ball managed with placement of two nephrostomy tubes and amphotericin B irrigation through a nephrostomy tube with the other to free drain. METHODS A 46-year-old man with uncontrolled Type 2 diabetes mellitus was referred to the urology clinic for workup of recurrent urinary tract infection. Urine culture grew Candida albicans. The patient was started on oral fluconazole therapy. Cystoscopy and cystogram revealed a grade 3 left vesicoureteral reflux and right retrograde pyelogram revealed a filling defect in the right renal pelvis extending into the proximal ureter with severe hydroureteronephrosis. Two nephrostomy tubes were placed (mid-pole and lower pole) to ensure that the system was not obstructed. Amphotericin B (50 mg/1000 ml normal saline) irrigation was then instilled through the mid-pole nephrostomy tube at a rate of 30 ml/h with the lower pole nephrostomy tube to free drain. An antegrade nephrostogram was performed after 5 days of amphotericin B instillation, showing complete resolution of the fungus ball. The patient is awaiting definitive minimally invasive management of the distal ureteral narrowing. CONCLUSIONS Renal and pelvi-ureteric fungus ball is a challenging clinical entity. It must be addressed promptly and efficiently to be successful. We describe a minimally invasive approach that was tolerated well and resulted in complete clearance of the fungus ball in a relatively short time frame.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007674 Kidney Diseases Pathological processes of the KIDNEY or its component tissues. Disease, Kidney,Diseases, Kidney,Kidney Disease
D007682 Kidney Pelvis The flattened, funnel-shaped expansion connecting the URETER to the KIDNEY CALICES. Renal Pelvis,Pelvis, Kidney,Pelvis, Renal
D008297 Male Males
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D009403 Nephrostomy, Percutaneous The insertion of a catheter through the skin and body wall into the kidney pelvis, mainly to provide urine drainage where the ureter is not functional. It is used also to remove or dissolve renal calculi and to diagnose ureteral obstruction. Percutaneous Nephrostomy,Nephrostomies, Percutaneous,Percutaneous Nephrostomies
D002177 Candidiasis Infection with a fungus of the genus CANDIDA. It is usually a superficial infection of the moist areas of the body and is generally caused by CANDIDA ALBICANS. (Dorland, 27th ed) Candida Infection,Moniliasis,Candida Infections,Candidiases,Infection, Candida,Moniliases
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D014515 Ureteral Diseases Pathological processes involving the URETERS. Disease, Ureteral,Diseases, Ureteral,Ureteral Disease
D014552 Urinary Tract Infections Inflammatory responses of the epithelium of the URINARY TRACT to microbial invasions. They are often bacterial infections with associated BACTERIURIA and PYURIA. Infection, Urinary Tract,Infections, Urinary Tract,Tract Infection, Urinary,Tract Infections, Urinary,Urinary Tract Infection

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