Treatment of renal tuberculosis. II. Microbiological study of 271 renal tuberculous cavities.

271 renal cavities from 94 nephrectomies were studied with fluorescence stain and Lowenstein-Jensen medium cultures. The degree of the sterilization of the lesions is demonstrated by the existence of Koch's bacilli into the cavities. The latter have been classified in different development stages according to their contents and the histological aspect of the wall. The results of this study showed that a reduced healing time allows a better conservation of the parenchyma. The in vivo rifampicin + isoniazid + ethambutol association produces the best and quickest stabilization of the cavities.