Pyelonephritis, cholecystitis, and emphysematous cystitis in a diabetic patient Background. Emphysematous pyelonephritis is a necrotizing infection characterized by gas production that usually is located in the kidney tissue, urinary tract and retroperitoneal tissue. Gas can escape following the renal veins and accumulate in the hepatic veins and other places. E coli is the most common causative organism. Clinical case: We report a 62 years old diabetic female, admitted to the hospital with a diabetic ketoacidosis. An abdominal CT scan disclosed a left emphysematous pyelonephritis, cholecystitis and cystitis. The patient was operated, performing a left nephrectomy, cholecystectomy and placement of sub hepatic and retroperitoneal drainages. The pathological study of the surgical piece showed an acute pyelonephritis with abscess formation and chronic cholecystitis. The patient died due to a multi systemic failure.