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Hydronephrosis of one kidney

Show Alternative Names
Hydronephrosis
Chronic hydronephrosis
Acute hydronephrosis
Urinary obstruction
Unilateral hydronephrosis
Nephrolithiasis - hydronephrosis
Kidney stone - hydronephrosis
Renal calculi - hydronephrosis
Ureteral calculi - hydronephrosis
Vesicoureteral reflux - hydronephrosis
Obstructive uropathy - hydronephrosis

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)
  • Kidney stones
  • 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:

In some cases, there may be no symptoms.

Exams and Tests

The condition is found on an imaging test such as:

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
  • 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 immune system disorders such as diabetes or HIV, or who have had a 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.

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.

Review Date: 1/1/2022

Reviewed By

Kelly L. Stratton, MD, FACS, Associate Professor, Department of Urology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

References

Frøkiaer J. Urinary tract obstruction. In: Yu ASL, Chertow GM, Luyckx VA, Marsden PA, Skorecki K, Taal MW, eds. Brenner and Rector's The Kidney. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 37.

Gallagher KM, Hughes J. Urinary tract obstruction. In: Feehally J, Floege J, Tonelli M, Johnson RJ, eds. Comprehensive Clinical Nephrology. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 58.

Disclaimer

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

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