Obstructive Pyelonephritis in a Diabetic … Think Sloughed Papilla!

Abstract

This case describes a patient presenting with AKI, loin pain, pyrexia and unilateral hydronephrosis secondary to obstructing sloughed papilla. It demonstrates the importance of considering alternative causes of radiolucent obstructive uropathy in patients with poorly controlled diabetes mellitus especially where there are risk factors for renal papillary necrosis.