Tzu Chi Medical Journal
Volume 21, Issue 1 , Pages 70-72, March 2009

Acute Pyelonephritis of an Ectopic Kidney Mimicking Acute Appendicitis: Two Unusual Cases in an Emergency Department

Department of Emergency Medicine, Chi-Mei Medical Center, Tainan, Taiwan

Received 20 February 2008; received in revised form 17 March 2008; accepted 18 April 2008.

Article Outline

Abstract 

Ectopic kidney is relatively uncommon, but it is not an emergency illness, and emergency surgery is rarely indicated. However, acute pyelonephritis of an ectopic kidney may mimic acute appendicitis. Here, we report our experience with two cases of acute pyelonephritis of ectopic right kidneys. Appendicitis was suspected initially. The patients underwent sonography and computed tomographic scanning because of an ambiguous diagnosis. Ectopic right kidney was identified with pyelonephritis. The appendix was found to be normal in both cases and unnecessary surgical procedures were avoided. Proper utilization of sonography and computed tomography in patients with abdominal pain helps to clarify ambiguous diagnoses in an emergency department and avoid unnecessary surgical procedures.

Keywords:  Acute appendicitis , Acute pyelonephritis , Ectopic kidney

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References 

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PII: S1016-3190(09)60011-2

doi:10.1016/S1016-3190(09)60011-2

Tzu Chi Medical Journal
Volume 21, Issue 1 , Pages 70-72, March 2009

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