Friday, February, 10, 2012

Acute unilateral obstructive uropathy

Table of Contents

Alternative Names

Obstructive uropathy - unilateral - acute; Ureteral obstruction


Symptoms
  • Abdominal pain, right or left lower quadrant
  • Abnormal urine color (tan, cola colored, tea colored)
  • Back pain, may be on only one side
  • Blood in the urine
  • Fever
  • Flank pain or pain in the side
    • Severe enough to require strong pain medicine
    • Pain on one side; it may move to the groin, genitals, and thigh
    • Pain comes and goes; intensity changes over minutes
  • Foul-smelling urine
  • High blood pressure that has increased recently (within 2 weeks)
  • Mental status changes
  • Nausea
  • Urinary frequency
  • Urinary urgency
  • Urinary tract infection
  • Vomiting

Signs and tests

The health care provider will perform a physical exam. Pressing with the fingers on (palpation of) the belly area may reveal a swollen or tender kidney. Blood pressure may be high.

The following tests may be done:

  • Basic metabolic panel
  • Complete blood count (CBC)
  • Urinalysis
  • Urine culture

Kidney swelling or blockage of the ureter may be seen on these tests:

  • Abdominal CT scan
  • Abdominal ultrasound
  • Intravenous pyelogram (IVP)
  • Kidney scan

Review Date: 02/09/2009
Reviewed By: Linda Vorvick, MD, Family Physician, Seattle Site Coordinator, Lecturer, Pathophysiology, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine; Louis S. Liou, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Urology, Department of Surgery, Boston University School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)