[Renal papillary necrosis managed by transurethral procedures: a case report].

The patient was a 66-year-old female who had been commonly using an analgesic for rheumatism from age 40. She visited our hospital with the complaints of fever up and right flank pain. Right hydronephrosis and renal failure were pointed out, and she was referred to the urologic clinic. Retrograde pyelography showed a clubbed upper calyx and filling defect in the lower ureter. A ureter stent was positioned for drainage in the right ureter. Then her general state improved. Three weeks later, retrograde pyelography was performed again. Two filling defects were detected in the upper ureter. Since the obstruction persisted we observed the ureter by ureteroscopy. Two specimens black-brown in color and 8 mm in diameter were observed through the ureteroscope and were removed with a basket catheter. Histological examination of the specimens revealed necrotic transepithelial tissues. It was assumed that the tissues were derived from necrotic renal papilla. Four months later, a similar episode was observed in the left upper urinary tract. The same procedures were performed to manage the patient. In this case, drainage using a ureter stent was effective and conservative therapy was possible. This is the first reported case of renal papillary necrosis managed by transurethral procedures in Japan.