What is Hydronephrosis?
Hydronephrosis is a medical condition characterized by a distention of the kidney caused by a buildup of urine which cannot be evacuated through the bladder. This condition can become quite dangerous, and it can also cause a variety of health problems, including long-term atrophy of the kidney as a result of the stretching caused by hydronephrosis. There are a number of causes for this condition, along with an assortment of treatment approaches. Urine will back up into the kidneys if there is an obstruction in the urinary tract. This can be caused by a structural abnormality, compression of the urinary tract, or by movement of the kidney which causes a kink to develop, much like the kink in a hose. Obstructions such as tumors and kidney stones are also a common cause of hydronephrosis. Whatever the cause, urine will slowly start to pool in the kidney, eventually causing it to distend with the pressure of the fluid inside. This condition can be characterized as unilateral, meaning that
2 mins confidence: peer agreement (net): +11see text Explanation: hydronephrosis Stretching of the renal pelvis as a result of obstruction to urinary outflow. SYN: nephrydrosis. SEE: illus. . ETIOLOGY: Anything that obstructs the ureter or bladder may cause hydronephrosis. Lodged kidney stones are a common cause of unilateral hydronephrosis; bilateral hydronephrosis often results from bladder outlet obstruction (e.g., in men who have hyperplasia of the prostate). Neurogenic bladder dysfunction, pregnancy, urogenital cancer, urinary tract inflammation, congenital malformations, ureteral strictures, and even parasites (schistosomiasis) may cause hydronephrosis. If urinary flow is not restored, the kidney tissue dilates and atrophies, and chronic renal failure may occur. SYMPTOMS: Hydronephrosis often causes no localizing symptoms, except when it is associated with kidney stones (when the primary symptom is severe flank pain). DIAGNOSIS: Ultrasonography of the urinary tract is used to con
