Urinary Tract Obstruction
- causes and risk factors
- signs, symptoms and diagnosis
- pathophysiology
- treatments
- consequences and course
- the patient
- health care team
- community involvement
- resources and references
Obstruction to urine flow can occur at any point from the renal pelvis to the end of the urethra.
Causes and Risk Factors
Causes of urinary tract obstruction include intraluminal obstruction (calculi, blood clots, sloughed papillary tissue) extrinsic compression (pelvic tumours, prostatic hypertrophy, fibrosis), acquired problems (strictures, precipitates, neurogenic bladder), and congenital urinary tract malformations (weatal stenosis, ureterocele, posterior urethral valves).
Signs, Symptoms, and Diagnosis
A change in urinary habits is often the presenting sign of obstruction, with anuria often occurring. However, polyuria, especially nocturia, can also occur, likely due to defective urinary concentration.
Unilateral ureteral obstruction usually does not cause any change in urinary flow or total renal function.
Azotemia or renal failure only occurs if drainage of both kidneys is significantly compromised, and total obstruction is an important cause of end stage renal disease.
Renal failure due to unknown causes, especially without proteinuria, should raise suspicion of obstruction.
Renal ultrasound is quite useful.
Pathophysiology
Treatments
Management primarily involves identifying the site and cause of the obstruction, with relief usually involving surgery.
Consequences and Course
The Patient
Health Care Team
Community Involvement
References