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
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
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?