Description
This is half a kidney, displaying a cystic area 6 cm. across at the upper pole. The cavity shows a single
trabecula running through from top to bottom, and containing purulent material. There is no sharp
line of demarcation between the abscess and the adjacent kidney; the area of haemorrhage is,
presumably related to surgery.
History
This woman was known to have a stone in her left kidney (established by intravenous
pyelogram) for some 4 years. She was admitted for partial nephrectomy. When the abscess was
discovered, the whole kidney was removed. There is no mention in the notes of the presence of a
renal stone. Histologically, there was no evidence of tuberculosis. The appearances were those of a
chronic abscess and areas of pyelonephritis were seen in the adjacent renal parenchyma.