The answer to the image quiz May 11, 2012 is acute pyelonephritis. The slide shows extensive
inflammatory infiltrate in the cortex and medulla (right panel), and a WBC cast
in the renal tubule (left panel).
Explanation
Acute pyelonephritis is a potentially organ- and/or
life-threatening infection that characteristically causes scarring of the
kidney. In the US the annual rate of
pyelonephritis is:15–17 cases per 10,000 females and 3–4 cases per 10,000
males. Presentation includes: AKI, abscess formation (eg, nephric, perinephric),
and sepsis.
The slides below show different morphologic examples. Slide
A: The cortex and medulla show extensive inflammatory infiltrates. Slide B: A
small abscess is present in the cortex. Slide C: Extensive neutrophil
infiltration of the outer medulla with extensive destruction of the tubules,
which contain pus casts.
