[Acute diffuse bacterial nephritis in horse shoe kidney].

Horseshoe kidney is a congenital malformation which predisposes the patient to severe urinary tract infections, due to pelvic ectasia which is inherent in the malrotation of the renal units. Acute bacterial nephritis is an evolutionary stage of the acute renal infection situated between acute pyelonephritis and renal abscess. It is only possible to carry out a differential diagnosis of these two bodies through the application of some imaging technique, as it is impossible to differentiate them from a clinical point of view. A CT contrast scan is the most sensitive and specific means of diagnosing acute bacterial nephritis, and is considered to be the most appropriate test method. The CT scan usually reveals circular or wedge-shaped cortical areas which become striated after contrast administration. Treatment is based on broad-spectrum antibiotherapy, which must be continued for a period of 3 to 6 weeks. We present a case of diffuse acute bacterial nephritis, occurring in a paediatric patient with a horseshoe kidney, which was successfully treated by means of a prolonged course of antibiotics.