Fungal bezoars of the upper urinary tract

Abstract

We report our experience with 6 cases of upper tract fungal bezoars involving 9 renal units-3 bilateral aspergillomas and 3 Candida bezoars. The Aspergillus bezoars were notably more morbid: 2 patients required nephrectomy after failure of medical therapy, whereas the 3 unilateral Candida bezoars all resolved with medical therapy and endourological access. In 1 patient whose aspergilloma was resistant to amphotericin B the investigational drug itraconazole proved effective. These opportunistic infections, seen increasingly in immunocompromised patients, can present a difficult management problem. A combined approach is necessary, including medical therapy with topical and systemic antifungal agents, and endourological access for extraction, lavage and debulking.