CT Findings of Renal Abscess

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to determine characteristic CT findings in renal abscess Material and Methods: Twenty cases of renal abscess were retrospectively analyzed for CT findings relat ing to the shape and extent of the abscess , change of nephrogram , peripheral rim enhancment , wedge-shaped enhancement on delayed scans , enlargement of the kidney involved and associated findings. Results: Seven patients had a renal abscess at the right kidney , nine at the left kidney and two bilaterally The abscesses were round in 18 cases and finger-like in two. Rim enhancement around renal abscess was seen in four cases (20%). Changes in the nephrogram around the abscess were seen in 12 cases (60%). In all six patients who had undergone delayed postcontrast scans , wedge-shaped enhancement was shown around the abscess (100%). In the observation of the extent of renal abscesses , 14 cases were within the kidney , six cases extended the beyond renal capsule , and two were loculated in the renal fascia itself. Renal enlargement was seen in nine cases (45%) Conclusion: These results suggest that CT findings such as delayed wedge-shaped enhancement , change of nephrogram , peripheral rim enhancement , renal enlargement , and associated findings are valuable for diag nosis , and that CT also gives information concerning the extent , evolution and complication of a renal abscess