Hydronephrosis of one kidney

Hydronephrosis is swelling of one kidney due to a backup of urine. This problem may occur in one kidney.

Causes

Hydronephrosis (kidney swelling) occurs as the result of a disease. It is not a disease itself. Conditions that may lead to hydronephrosis include:

• Blockage of a ureter due to scarring caused by prior infections, surgeries, or radiation treatments
• Blockage from an enlarged uterus during pregnancy
• Birth defects of the urinary system
• Back flow of urine from bladder to kidney, called vesicoureteral reflux (may occur as a birth defect or due to an enlarged prostate or narrowing of the urethra)

  Back flow of urine from bladder to kidn...

  Reflux nephropathy is a condition in which the kidneys are damaged by the backward flow of urine into the kidney.

  

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• Kidney stones

  Kidney stones

  A kidney stone is a solid mass made up of tiny crystals. One or more stones can be in the kidney or ureter at the same time.

  

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• Cancers or tumors that occur in the ureter, bladder, pelvis or abdomen
• Problems with the nerves that supply the bladder

The blockage and swelling of the kidney may occur suddenly or may develop slowly.

Symptoms

Common symptoms include:

• Flank pain

  Flank pain

  Flank pain is pain in one side of the body between the upper belly area (abdomen) and the back.

  

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• Abdominal mass, especially in children

  Abdominal mass

  An abdominal mass is swelling in one part of the belly area (abdomen).

  

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• Nausea and vomiting
• Urinary tract infection (UTI)
• Fever
• Painful urination (dysuria)
• Increased urinary frequency
• Increased urinary urgency

In some cases, there may be no symptoms.

Exams and Tests

The condition is found on an imaging test such as:

• MRI of the abdomen or pelvis

  MRI of the abdomen

  An abdominal magnetic resonance imaging scan is an imaging test that uses powerful magnets and radio waves. The waves create pictures of the inside ...

  

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• CT scan of the kidneys, abdomen, or pelvis

  CT scan of the kidneys, abdomen

  An abdominal CT scan is an imaging method. This test uses x-rays to create cross-sectional pictures of the belly area. CT stands for computed tomog...

  

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• Intravenous pyelogram (IVP)

  Intravenous pyelogram

  An intravenous pyelogram (IVP) is a special x-ray exam of the kidneys, bladder, and ureters (the tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladd...

  

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• Renal nuclear scan
• Ultrasound of the kidney, abdomen, or pelvis

  Ultrasound of the kidney

  Abdominal ultrasound is a type of imaging test. It is used to look at organs in the abdomen, including the liver, gallbladder, spleen, pancreas, and...

  

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Treatment

Treatment depends on the cause of the kidney swelling. Treatment may include:

• Placing a stent (tube) through the bladder and ureter to allow urine to flow from the kidney into the bladder
• Placing a tube into the kidney through the skin to allow the blocked urine to drain out of the body into a drainage bag

  Placing a tube into the kidney through ...

  Percutaneous (through the skin) urinary procedures help drain urine from your kidney and get rid of kidney stones.

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• Antibiotics for infections
• Surgery to correct the blockage or reflux
• Removal of any stone that is causing blockage

People who have only one kidney, who have a weakened immune system (such as due to diabetes or HIV), or who have had a kidney transplant will need treatment right away.

People who have long-term hydronephrosis may need antibiotics to reduce the risk of UTI.

Outlook (Prognosis)

Loss of kidney function, UTI, and pain may occur if the condition is left untreated.

Possible Complications

If hydronephrosis is not treated, the affected kidney may be permanently damaged. Kidney failure is rare if the other kidney is working normally. However, kidney failure will occur if there is only one functioning kidney. UTI and pain may also occur.

Kidney failure

Acute kidney failure is the rapid (less than 2 days) loss of your kidneys' ability to remove waste and help balance fluids and electrolytes in your b...

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When to Contact a Medical Professional

Contact your health care provider if you have ongoing or severe flank pain, or fever, or if you think you may have hydronephrosis.

Prevention

Prevention of the disorders that cause this condition will prevent it from occurring.