INTRODUCTION: Nephrobronchial fistula is a rare complication of xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis, a disease that can fistulize to lungs, skin, colon and other organs. CASE REPORT: A 37-year old patient presented a chronic history of lumbar pain and thoracic symptoms such as cough, dyspnea and oral elimination of pus. Patient went to several services and was submitted to 2 thorax surgeries before definitive treatment (nephrectomy) was indicated. After nephrectomy, the patient presented an immediate improvement with weight gain (8 kg / 1 month) and all his symptoms disappeared. CONCLUSION: This clinical case illustrates the natural history of nephrobronchial fistula, the importance of clinical history for diagnosis and the relevance of early treatment of renal lithiasis.
kidney; xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis; kidney calculi; urinary fistula; urinary tract infection; bronchial fistula
