Unilateral hydronephrosis . It is an inflammation of a kidney due to an accumulation of urine.
Summary
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- 1 Alternative names
- 2 Causes, incidence and risk factors
- 3 Symptoms
- 4 Signs and tests
- 5 Treatment
- 6 Forecast
- 7 Complications
- 8 Prevention
- 9 References
- 10 Source
Alternative names
Hydronephrosis
Causes, incidence and risk factors
Hydronephrosis is a condition that occurs with a disease but is not a disease in itself. The treatment and prognosis for unilateral hydronephrosis depend on what is causing the inflammation of the kidney. The disorders often associated with unilateral hydronephrosis are, among others:
- Acute unilateral obstructive uropathy
- Chronic unilateral obstructive uropathy
- Vesicoureteral reflux (reflux of urine from the bladder to the kidney)
- Nephrolithiasis (kidney stones)
- Hydronephrosis that occurs without a known cause during pregnancy.
Unilateral hydronephrosis occurs in about 1 in 100 people.
Symptoms
- Flank pain
- Abdominal mass
- Nausea and vomiting
- Urinary tract infection
- Fever
- Dysuria
- Increased urinary frequency
- Increased urinary urgency
Note: Sometimes unilateral hydronephrosis is asymptomatic.
Signs and tests
The doctor identifies hydronephrosis in tests such as the following:
- Intravenous pyelogram ( IVP )
- Isotope renography (renal isotope scan)
- Ultrasound of the kidneys or abdomen
- CT of the kidneys or abdomen
- Abdominal MRI
Treatment
Treatment may include: A ureteral stent (tube that allows the ureter to drain into the bladder) A nephrostomy tube that allows blocked urine to drain through the back Antibiotics for infections Patients with only one kidney, who have disorders that compromise the immune system, such as diabetes or HIV, or who have received a transplant, should be treated promptly. Preventive antibiotics may be prescribed to decrease the risk of urinary tract infections in patients who have had prolonged hydronephrosis.
Forecast
Prolonged hydronephrosis leads to the final loss of kidney function.
Complications
If hydronephrosis is not treated, permanent damage can occur to the affected kidney. The renal failure is rare with unilateral hydronephrosis because the other one functioning kidney normally. However, if the patient has only one functioning kidney, kidney failure will develop.
Prevention
Prevention of disorders associated with unilateral hydronephrosis prevents this condition from occurring.
