Definition

Hydronephrosis is the result of a problem in the urinary tract. Urine drains from the kidneys into the bladder. With hydronephrosis, urine backs up into the kidneys causing a buildup of pressure.

Urinary Tract Blocked By a Stone Copyright © Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.

Causes

Causes of hydronephrosis:

• Kidney stones
• Blood clots
• Growths or tumors
• Scarring—can happen from an accident or surgery
• An enlarged prostate
• Urine can't drain into the bladder
• Bladder is not draining well
• Pregnancy

Risk Factors

Your risk is higher if you have:

• Structural defects
• Scarring
• Cancer or radiation therapy—mainly in the pelvic organs
• Blood clotting problems
• Benign prostatic hyperplasia
• Neurogenic bladder
• An injury to the area

Symptoms

Some people don't have symptoms. If symptoms appear, they may cause:

• Pain in the back, waist, lower belly, or groin
• Problems related to urination:
  • Pain
  • Urgency
  • Lower output
  • Cycles of lower and higher output
  • Bladder not feeling emptied out
• Fever
• Nausea or vomiting

Diagnosis

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and health history. You may also have:

• A physical exam
• A pelvic or rectal exam
• Blood tests
• Urine tests
• Imaging tests:
  • Urogram
  • Renal ultrasound
  • CT scan
  • MRI scan
• Cystoscopy —examining the bladder with a lighted scope

Treatment

The goal of care is to treat the cause. This will help ease pressure and limit further problems.

Care may involve:

• Fixing structural defects
• Treating a kidney stone
• Placing a stent—a tube is used to keep a passage open
• A tube is placed into the kidney to drain urine— nephrostomy
• Taking out of all or part of the kidney (rare)— nephrectomy

Prevention

If you have problems with your kidneys, getting prompt care will lower your chances of complications.