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Obstructive uropathy

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment
• Prevention

Definition:

Obstructive uropathy involves a blockage of the flow of urine, causing it to back up and injure one or both kidneys.

Alternative Names:

Uropathy - obstructive

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Obstructive uropathy occurs when urine cannot drain through a ureter (a tube that carries urine from the kidneys to the bladder). Urine backs up into the kidney and causes it to become swollen ( hydronephrosis ).

Obstructive uropathy is grouped according to whether it affects one or both kidneys and whether it occurs suddenly or is long term:

• Chronic unilateral obstructive uropathy - Long-term uropathy that affects one kidney
• Chronic bilateral obstructive uropathy - Long-term uropathy that affects both kidneys
• Acute unilateral obstructive uropathy - Sudden uropathy that affects one kidney
• Acute bilateral obstructive uropathy -Sudden uropathy that affects both kidneys

Common causes of obstructive uropathy include the following:

• Urinary tract stones
  • Ureteral stones
  • Bladder stones
• Urinary tract tumors
• Retroperitoneal fibrosis
• Benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate)
• Tumors of nearby organs
• Colon cancer
• Cervical cancer
• Uterine cancer
• Any cancer that spreads
• Idiopathic hydronephrosis of pregnancy

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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