Home > Medical Reference > Encyclopedia (English)

Toggle: English / Spanish

Ask Our Experts

Get answers to your specific medical questions from UM Medical Center experts.

Note: This is for informational purposes only. Doctors cannot provide a diagnosis via e-mail.

 

Related Content

Division of Nephrology

Kidney Transplant Program

Patient Success Stories

Our Doctors

Renal papillary necrosis

Definition:

Renal papillary necrosis is a disorder of the kidneys involving death of some or all of the renal papillae.

Alternative Names:

Necrosis - renal papillae; Renal medullary necrosis

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

The renal papillae are the areas of the kidney where the openings from the collecting ducts enter the renal pelvis. Necrosis (tissue death) of this area may may make the kidney unable to concentrate the urine. This causes polyuria (increased urine volume, usually in excess of 3 liters per day) and nocturia (frequent urination at night).

The necrotic tissue may be sloughed off, and it may be seen in the urine, or the tissue may obstruct the renal pelvis or the ureter. Presence of necrotic tissue in the urine increases the risk of urinary tract infections . Necrosis of multiple papillae in the kidney can lead to failure of that kidney.

Renal papillary necrosis is most commonly associated with analgesic nephropathy , diabetic nephropathy , renal transplant rejection, urinary tract obstruction, kidney infections and sickle cell anemia . Sickle cell anemia is a common cause of renal papillary necrosis in children.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial process . A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 1997-2007 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

adam.com