Perirenal abscess

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Kidney anatomy

Kidney - blood and urine flow

An abscess is a pocket of pus resulting from an infection. A perirenal abscess is an infection surrounding one or both kidneys.

More than 75% of perirenal abscesses are caused by urinary tract infections that start in the bladder, spread to the kidney, and then spread to the area surrounding the kidney. Other causes of perirenal abscess include urological surgery (in the urinary tract or reproductive system) and bloodstream infection.

The most significant risk factor for perirenal abscess is the presence of kidney stones that block urinary flow and serve as a reservoir for infection. Bacteria tend to stick to the stones and antibiotics can't kill the bacteria there.

Stones are found in 20-60% of patients with perirenal abscess. Other risk factors for perirenal abscess include having an abnormal urinary tract, trauma, and diabetes.

Review Date: 09/05/2006
Reviewed By: D. Scott Smith, M.D., MSc, DTM&H, Chief of Infectious Disease & Geographic Medicine, Kaiser Redwood City, CA & Adjunct Assistant Professor, Stanford University. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.