Peer-reviewed medical journal Vol. 11 • Issue 1

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American Journal of Medical and Clinical Sciences

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Volume 11

Issue 1 • 2026-02

1.387 Impact factor
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Article details

Xanthogranulomatous Pyelonephritis, a Great Imitator: Case Report

Adolfo Boada, Stephanie Plaza and Renzo Nervi

Abstract

Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis (XPN) is an atypical form of chronic pyelonephritis, characterized by the destruction of the renal parenchyma and its replacement with a chronic infiltrate of lipid-laden macrophages [1]. The clinical presentation is nonspecific and variable. Consider clear cell carcinoma, sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma, renal tuberculosis, renal lymphoma, renal or psoas abscess, actinomycosis, renal cystic disease, and emphysematous pyelonephritis [2,3]. We present the case of a 59-year-old female patient, with a history of recurrent urinary tract infections, who came to our center due to severe anemia (5gr/dl), weight loss of 10 kg in 2 months, night sweats and weakness, concomitant sudden-onset lumbar pain and hematuria, after multiple studies, a diagnosis of PNX was made, which was confirmed by anatomopathological study.