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Unilateral hydronephrosis Causes and Risks:
Hydronephrosis develops when the kidney pelvis and calyces become distended because urine is unable to drain into the bladder. Hydronephrosis is not a separate disease, but a physical phenomenon that occurs with many diseases. Symptoms, treatment, and prognosis are those of the associated diseases.
Disorders associated with unilateral hydronephrosis include: Unilateral hydronephrosis of varying degrees is discovered in approximately 1 out of 100 people.
Prevention:
See the causative disorders.
Symptoms:
Note: There are usually no symptoms.
Signs and Tests:
Hydronephrosis is discovered by the health care provider as a result of testing. It may be apparent on:
Treatment:
Surgery to remove the blockage may be needed.
Prognosis:
Prolonged hydronephrosis results in the eventual loss of kidney function.
Complications:
Untreated, permanent damage to the kidney with renal insufficiency or renal failure will result.
Call Your Healthcare Provider:
Call your health care provider if prolonged or severe flank pain , or if decreased urine output , is present. This disorder rarely occurs alone but is usually discovered during testing for another condition.
This is an illustration of the female urinary tract. The female and male urinary tracts are relatively the same except for the length of the urethra. The positioning in the body and relative size of the organs are also demonstrated.
This is an illustration of the male urinary tract. The female and male urinary tract are relatively the same except for the length of the urethra. The positioning and relative size of the organs are also shown.
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