PYELITIS IN THE FEMALE

Pyelitis is an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the pelvis and calices of the kidney, whereas with pyelonephritis the process is more advanced; in addition to the changes in the pelvis and calices there is an infection of the parenchyma. Acute pyelitis as a distinct pathologic entity is not common, for it is usually associated with varying degrees of pyelonephritis. Pyelitis is usually secondary to infection in the parenchyma and in many cases this infection in the parenchyma clears up, leaving the pelvis and calices of the kidney involved. The differential diagnosis between simple pyelitis and pyelonephritis is impossible without the use of functional tests. Of course, in simple pyelitis there is no decrease in function, for the parenchyma is not involved, whereas in pyelonephritis there is a reduction in the output of dye. In cases in which the infection in the parenchyma has cleared up and with a