Acute unilateral obstructive uropathy

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Kidney anatomy

Acute unilateral obstructive uropathy

Definition:

Urine is drained from the kidneys through tubes called ureters. Obstructive uropathy occurs when a one or both ureters becomes blocked; the condition may be acute or chronic.

Acute unilateral obstructive uropathy involves a sudden blockage of one ureter, resulting in a backup of urine and injury to the kidney.

Alternative Names:
Obstructive uropathy - unilateral - acute; Ureteral obstruction
Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

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Unilateral obstructive uropathy occurs when urine cannot drain through a ureter because of an obstruction. Urine backs up into the kidney and causes distention of the renal pelvis and calyces (hydronephrosis).

The blockage is most often caused by a kidney stone, although injury or other conditions could cause the disorder.

Risks for unilateral obstructive uropathy include ureteral stones and tumors, kidney stones, and tumors in surrounding structures such as the uterine cervix.

The disorder may result in permanent damage to the kidney and may be a cause of hypertension. It usually does not cause kidney failure because the second kidney continues to function.

Acute unilateral obstructive uropathy occurs in 1 in 1,000 people.