Paranephric abscess: a changing concept.

The aetiology of the paranephric abscess has been greatly modified since the introductiion of antibiotics. Its frequency has decreased but its prognosis has not been improved. 20 cases of paranephric abscess have been studied retrospectively. Its main cause is no longer the haematogenic staphylococcus infection but primary kidney infection. The disease is difficult to diagnose as the evolution is slow and the symptoms unspecific. The main symptoms are: abdominal pain, feeling of physical prostation, subfebrility, acute pain in the flank and significant increase in blood sedimentation rate. The infection is due in most cases to a silent kidney or a kidney stone with pyonephrosis. Accompaying diabetes mellitus was often observed.