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Acute bilateral obstructive uropathy

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Definition:

Acute bilateral obstructive uropathy is a sudden blockage of the flow of urine from both kidneys.

Alternative Names:

Urethral obstruction; Acute urethral obstruction; Obstructive uropathy - bilateral - acute

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Obstructive uropathy occurs when the flow of urine is blocked. The kidneys continue to produce urine in the normal manner, but the urine does not drain properly because of the obstruction. This causes swelling of the kidneys ( hydronephrosis ). A sudden blockage that affects both kidneys causes acute bilateral obstructive uropathy. The condition may eventually lead to hypertension or acute renal failure .

In men, acute bilateral obstructive uropathy is most often a result of an enlarged prostate. Other causes in men include prostate cancer, bilateral obstructing kidney stones and bladder cancer. Acute bilateral obstructive uropathy is much less common in women, but may occur as a result of a bladder cystocele , pregnancy, injury from surgery involving the reproductive organs, or cervical cancer. Other causes include posterior urethral valves in infant boys, neurogenic bladder, papillary necrosis, coagulated blood, fungus and other rare retroperitoneal processes.

Acute bilateral obstructive uropathy occurs in about 5 out of 10,000 people.

References:

Walsh PC. Campbell's Urology . 8th ed. St. Louis, Mo: WB Saunders; 2002:412. 

Goldman L, Ausiello D. Cecil Textbook of Medicine , 22nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders; 2004:741-742.

• Review Date: 5/10/2006
• Reviewed By: Neil D. Sherman, MD, Urologist, Essex County, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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