Hydronephrosis

Overview

Hydronephrosis is swelling of one or both kidneys caused by a build-up of urine that can't drain properly, most often due to a blockage somewhere along the urinary tract. It can develop suddenly and painfully, or gradually and silently.

Symptoms

●Sudden, severe flank pain

●No symptoms at all in gradual cases

●Decreased urine output

●Nausea and vomiting

●Fever alongside pain

●Visible abdominal swelling in infants

Causes

Common causes include kidney stones, urethral or ureteric strictures, an enlarged prostate, pelvic tumors, or, in children, a congenital narrowing at the point where the kidney meets the ureter.

Risk Factors

History of kidney stones — Stones are a leading cause of sudden obstruction.

Enlarged prostate (BPH) — Can cause back-pressure affecting both kidneys over time.

Pelvic tumors — Can compress the ureter from outside.

Pregnancy — Causes temporary, usually harmless hydronephrosis in many women.

Congenital urinary tract anomalies — A leading cause of hydronephrosis diagnosed in childhood.

Diagnosis

Ultrasound detects the swelling quickly; a CT scan, MRI, or renogram scan pinpoints the underlying cause and checks how well the kidney is still functioning.

Complications If Untreated

If the blockage isn't relieved, back-pressure can cause progressive, sometimes permanent, loss of kidney function — especially serious if it affects a patient's only functioning kidney.

Treatment Options

Prevention Tips

Prompt treatment of kidney stones, BPH, and other obstructive conditions prevents most cases; routine prenatal and pediatric screening catches congenital cases early.

Lifestyle Advice

Sudden flank pain or a marked drop in urine output should never be ignored — early evaluation protects long-term kidney function.

Frequently Asked Questions

Hydronephrosis is swelling of the kidney from urine that can't drain properly due to a blockage further down. When should I consult Dr. Raju R?

Sudden hydronephrosis causes severe flank pain; gradual cases can be silent and found incidentally on a scan. When should I consult Dr. Raju R?

Common causes include kidney stones, strictures, an enlarged prostate, tumors, or, in children, a congenital narrowing. When should I consult Dr. Raju R?

Ultrasound detects the swelling; CT, MRI, or a renogram scan pinpoint the cause and check kidney function. When should I consult Dr. Raju R?

Treatment relieves the blockage, sometimes urgently with a DJ stent, then treats the specific cause, such as a stone or stricture. When should I consult Dr. Raju R?

It's an emergency with fever, severe pain, inability to urinate, or when it affects a single functioning kidney. When should I consult Dr. Raju R?

Consult Dr. Raju R

Expert Urology specialist in Bangalore

Book Appointment 📞 9886777592