Ultrasonic demonstration of xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis

An ultrasound examination performed on a young woman with a long history of urinary tract infection demonstrated multiple subcapsular sonolucencies suggestive of multiple abscesses. The combination of the ultrasonic appearance, the clinical history, and a large nonfunctioning kidney with calculi on intravenous pyelography allowed us to suggest the diagnosis of xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis. Ultrasound plays an even greater role in patients who are allergic to iodinated contrast material in whom intravenous pyelograms and arteriograms may be contraindicated.