Emphysematous pyelonephritis is a severe, acute necrotizing renal parenchymal and perirenal infection with formation of gas. Emphysematous pyelonephritis predominantly affects females with uncontrolled diabetes and can occur in insulin-dependent as well as non-insulin dependant patients. CT scan is the modality of choice for the staging of the parenchymal gas and to rule out obstruction.
We present a case of 83-year old female with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus who presented with dysurea and right flank pain in the emergency department. She was diagnosed as a case of emphysematous pyelonephritis. She was treated successfully in the urology department by antibiotics and percutaneous drainage.