A rare neurological presentation of emphysematous pyelonephritis

Abstract

Emphysematous pyelonephritis (EPN) is an acute necrotizing infection of the kidney with features of air formation in the pelvicalyceal system, renal parenchyma, and surrounding structures. Although septic embolization has been reported to occur in distant organs, air pockets occurring intracranially leading to neurological manifestations in EPN have not been reported in the literature. We present a case report of a patient with EPN showing air pockets in renal parenchyma, pelvicalyceal system, renal vein, inferior vena cava, and multiple intracranial venous sinuses, presenting predominantly with neurological symptoms. This patient was aggressively managed with antibiotics, ureteral stenting, and drainage of the right kidney.