Pyelonephritis diagnosis

Pyelonephritis is a common kidney disease, with about 150-170 newly registered cases among 100,000 of the USA population annually. Still, diagnosing pyelonephritis can be challenging, so it might be tough to get a suitable treatment. The diagnostic procedure starts with clinical history intake and examination of the patient’s medical records. Next, a nephrologist (kidney specialist) conducts a physical exam and lists all required tests and diagnostic procedures. An inflammation blood test will help confirm that symptoms might be related to an inflammatory process, potentially localized in the patient’s kidneys. During urinalysis, medical practitioners will examine the patient’s urine to find signs of proteins, white blood cells, and unusual substances and particles, confirming that the main issue is localized in the patient’s kidneys. Lastly, doctors will conduct an ultrasound examination of the pelvis and (or) kidneys to examine the structure and overall state of organs to confirm or deny their previous findings. In some rare cases, renal scintigraphy might also be prescribed to study the functions and anatomy of kidneys in more detail. As a result, the patient will have a confirmation of pyelonephritis and general recommendations regarding possible further actions.