Persistent tuberculous cystitis: the most common indication for nephrectomy in the management of urogenital tuberculosis.

There were 631 patients treated for proven urogenital tuberculosis in 1966-1985. Indications for nephrectomy were retrospectively analyzed in 137 (21.7%) patients operated. A badly damaged or functionless kidney was removed in 85 (62.0%) patients for the early control of persistent tuberculous cystitis; in 18 (13.1%) because of chronic, nonspecific urinary infection, dispersed calcifications with subsequent nephrolithiasis, pain or other discomfort; in 16 (11.7%) due to supposed nephrogenic hypertension, and in 3 (2.2%) because of extrarenal disease. In 15 (10.9%) patients the symptomless kidney was removed preventively. The management of renal tuberculosis by itself did not need nephrectomy.