All issues > Volume 46(4); 2003

Original Article

J Korean Pediatr Soc. 2003;46(4):351-357. Published online April 15, 2003.

A Clinical and Radiologic Study of Acute Focal Bacterial Nephritis in Children

Kum Ho KH Song¹, Kwon Hoe KH Huh¹, Ok Yeon OY Cho¹, Jae Hoon JH Sim¹, Do Jun DJ Cho¹, Dug Ha DH Kim¹, Ki Sik KS Min¹, Ki Yang KY Yoo¹, Kwan Seop KS Lee²

¹Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Hallym University, Anyang, Korea
²Department of Radiology, College of Medicine, Hallym University, Anyang, Korea

Correspondence Ki Sik KS Min ,Email: kisikmin@hanmail.net

Abstract

Purpose
: To raise awareness of the clinical importance of, and the need for proper management of acute focal bacterial nephritis(AFBN), we analyzed 22 AFBN patients and 22 other upper urinary tract infection patients by use of comparative studies.
Methods
: From January 2000 to May 2002, 22 AFBN patients aged from 1 month to 12 months were selected. As a control group, 22 UTI patients with no radiologic abnormalities were selected and matched by age and sex.
Results
: The incidence of AFBN was more common in boys than in girls. Since both groups had similar symptoms, it was difficult to diagnose AFBN by clinical presentations alone. ESR and CRP were significantly higher in AFBN patients. The most common causative organism was E. coli in both groups. On the sonographic findings, the most lesions were seen on the upper lobe of the kidney; more frequently, on left kidney. The lesions showed globular or wedge-shaped increased echogenecity. 99mTc-DMSA scan showed the complete coincidence of the location, size and shape in all cases compared to the findings of renal sonography.
Conclusion
: The roles of renal sonography and DMSA scan were very important, and ultrasonography was an excellent initial tool in diagnosing AFBN. Since the degree of infection in AFBN is more severe than other urinary tract infections and evollution into a renal abscess is possible, early diagnosis and appropriate antibiotics therapy is essential.

Keywords :Acute focal bacterial nephritis(AFBN)