Renal actinomycosis presenting as uro-cutaneous fistula

Renal actinomycosis is a rare clinical entity. Diagnosis is usually made after resection. A 36-year-old male presented with uro-cutaneous fistula and left xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis. He was offered left open radical nephrectomy. Intra-operatively, there was “woody” inflammation of the left kidney fistulizing to the splenic flexure of the colon. We successfully resected it and a segment of the colon that had fistulized. His tissue cultures grew Actinomyces odontolyticus. Post-operatively, he received 6 weeks of intravenous beta-lactam antibiotic. He recovered well without any complications. In conclusion, renal actinomycosis can be challenging to diagnose, operate and eradicate. Perioperative considerations are presented for successful management.