What causes unilateral hydronephrosis?

The most common cause for this blockage is a kidney stone, but scarring and blood clots can also cause acute unilateral obstructive uropathy. A blocked ureter can cause urine to go back up into the kidney, which causes swelling. This backflow of urine is known as vesicoureteral reflux (VUR).

What are the complications of hydronephrosis?

Complications. The most common complication of hydronephrosis is the development of a urinary tract infection (UTI). When the UTI is associated with a high fever, a kidney infection is (pyelonephritis) is suspected. This is caused by bacteria spreading from the bladder to the kidney and invading the kidney tissue.

What could be the intrinsic cause of unilateral hydronephrosis?

Likely the most common reason to have unilateral hydronephrosis is a kidney stone that causes obstruction of the ureter. The stone gradually moves from the kidney into the bladder but if it should act like a dam while in the ureter, urine will back up and cause the kidney to swell.

What is hydronephrosis of right kidney?

Hydronephrosis is swelling of one or both kidneys. Kidney swelling happens when urine can’t drain from a kidney and builds up in the kidney as a result. This can occur from a blockage in the tubes that drain urine from the kidneys (ureters) or from an anatomical defect that doesn’t allow urine to drain properly.

Does hydronephrosis affect kidney function?

Left untreated, severe hydronephrosis can lead to permanent kidney damage. Rarely, it can cause kidney failure. But hydronephrosis typically affects only one kidney and the other kidney can do the work for both.

Does hydronephrosis affect GFR?

The rise in ureteral pressure leads to marked changes in glomerular filtration, tubular function, and renal blood flow. The glomerular filtration rate (GFR) declines significantly within hours following acute obstruction. This significant decline of GFR can persist for weeks after relief of obstruction.

Why would one kidney be larger than the other?

It is normal for the right kidney to be slightly larger than the left, although I have seen left kidneys be larger than the right and still be normal. There is no cause for concern unless one is said to be “small”.

Can hydronephrosis lead to kidney failure?

Is hydronephrosis a medical emergency?

Hydronephrosis is often caused by a serious condition of the kidney or urinary tract, such as kidney stones. Seek immediate medical care (call 911) if you, or someone you are with, have any of the following symptoms: Blood clots in urine or bloody urine (hematuria)

What are the possible complications of hydronephrosis?

Hydronephrosis may be unilateral involving just one kidney or bilateral involving both. A complication of hydronephrosis that is not physiologic is decreased kidney function.

What is the difference between bilateral and unilateral hydronephrosis?

If only one of the kidneys is affected, the condition is called unilateral hydronephrosis. If both kidneys are affected, it is called bilateral hydronephrosis. Hydronephrosis may result in decreased kidney function.

What causes hydronephrosis (kidney swelling)?

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

What does hydronephrosis mean in medical terms?

Hydronephrosis. Hydronephrosis is a condition of the urinary tract where one or both kidneys swell. This happens because urine does not fully empty from the body. Symptoms may include sudden or intense pain in the back or side, vomiting, painful urination, blood in the urine, weakness and fever due to a urinary tract infection.