Hydronephrosis

Question 1

What is hydronephritis?

Answer 1

Hydronephritis is a conditions where one or both kidneys become stretched or swollen due to a build up of urine inside them.

Question 2

What are the causes of hydronephrosis?

Answer 2

Hydronephrosis is caused by a blockage in the urinary track

• kidney stones
• pregnancy
• enlarged prostat gland
• ureteric strictures
• tumours of urinary tract causing obstruction.

Question 3

What are the signs and symptoms of hydronephrosis?

Answer 3

• pain in back or loins (that can become worse after drinking a lot. Can be sudden and severe, or an intermittent dull ache)
• UTI symptoms (fevor, rigor, vomiting)
• haematuria
• oliguria

Question 4

What invx are done for hydronephrosis?

Answer 4

• USS or
  CT

Look for signs of infection in:

• Bloods (FBC, U+Es, CRP, Blood culture)
• Urine dipstick (nitrites +ve?, Leucocytes +ve)

Question 5

What are the complications of hydronephrosis?

Answer 5

• UTI
• kidney scarring —> decreased function

(if left untreated)

Question 6

how common is antenatal hydronephrosis?

Answer 6

1 in every 100 pregnancies

however most resolve on their own with no long term problems

Question 7

How is hydronephrosis treated?

Answer 7

• insert catheter to drain urine (into bladder or kidney - nephrostomy) and relieve pressure
• treat cause of obstruction e.g. remove stones, enlarged prostate, insert stent