Which term means suppuration of the kidney?
a. nephropathy
b. urethritis
c. pyelonephritis
d. pyonephrosis
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
The correct term for suppuration (formation of pus) in the kidney is pyonephrosis (d).
Explanation:
Pyonephrosis refers to the accumulation of pus in the renal pelvis of the kidney, often due to an infection. It typically results from the obstruction of the urinary tract, such as a kidney stone or tumor, which prevents urine from draining properly. When bacteria infect the stagnant urine, pus forms, leading to pyonephrosis.
Pyonephrosis is a serious condition that can cause significant damage to the kidney if left untreated. The infection may spread to the bloodstream, resulting in a life-threatening condition called sepsis. Symptoms of pyonephrosis can include fever, chills, flank pain, and cloudy or foul-smelling urine. If the kidney becomes severely infected, it can lose its function, causing irreversible damage.
The condition differs from pyelonephritis (c), which is a general infection of the kidney tissue and renal pelvis. While pyelonephritis can be quite painful and dangerous, it does not always involve the formation of pus within the kidney itself, as in pyonephrosis.
Other options:
- Nephropathy (a) is a broad term that simply means disease of the kidney. It does not specifically refer to infection or suppuration.
- Urethritis (b) refers to inflammation of the urethra, which is the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body. It is typically caused by infection but affects a different part of the urinary system, not the kidneys.
Treatment:
Treatment of pyonephrosis typically involves antibiotics to control the infection and drainage of the pus through a procedure called nephrostomy. In severe cases, surgery may be needed to remove the infected part of the kidney.