Fulminant Emphysematous Pyelonephritis (EPN) in a Diabetic Patient Suspected of Having Multiple Tumors

Abstract

Multiple tumors in the liver, kidney, and on the posterior side of the urinary bladder were accidentally found when a diabetic woman visited the hospital. She refused to undergo surgery; therefore, she was only observed for 2 months. Subsequently, she was found unconscious at home and diagnosed with urinary infection, sepsis, and hyperglycemic hyperosmolar non-ketotic coma. The case followed a fulminant course, and she soon died. Postmortem computed tomography revealed emphysematous pyelonephritis (EPN), a rare, life-threatening infection. This case highlights the importance of carefully managing infection in diabetic patients, and it may contribute to clarifying the pathogenesis of EPN.