Is UPJ obstruction serious?
If undiagnosed or left untreated, chronic UPJ obstruction can lead to significant kidney damage and the gradual loss of kidney function. This is especially true of patients who are diagnosed later in life. Urinary tract infections become common and can be more serious than usual.
What causes UPJ stenosis?
Most of the time, the blockage is caused when the connection between the ureter and the renal pelvis narrows. This causes urine to build up, damaging the kidney. The condition can also be caused when a blood vessel is located in the wrong position over the ureter.
How is UPJ obstruction treated?
If urine flow doesn’t improve and the obstruction remains after the first 18 months of life, surgery is usually needed to fix the problem. In infants, the surgery most often used is called open pyeloplasty. In this procedure the UPJ is removed, and the ureter is reattached to the renal pelvis but with a wider opening.
What are the symptoms of UPJ obstruction?
In older children and adults, (in which the congenital UPJ obstruction remained undiagnosed or is acquired), the following symptoms may occur:
- Intermittent pain in the upper abdomen or back on the affected side that worsens when drinking a lot of fluids or caffeine (a natural diuretic)
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Fatigue.
Is pyeloplasty a major surgery?
Laparoscopic pyeloplasty is performed under general anesthesia. The typical length of the operation is three to four hours. The surgery is performed through three small (1 cm) incisions made in the abdomen.
Does hydronephrosis cause weight gain?
Blood or pus in your urine. Nausea, vomiting, fever, or chills. Abdominal fullness or swelling. Weight gain that you cannot explain.
Can hydronephrosis make you tired?
Painful or frequent urination. Intense or sudden pain in your side. Blood in your urine. A general feeling of weakness or fatigue.
Does hydronephrosis cause back pain?
When they occur, signs and symptoms of hydronephrosis might include: Pain in the side and back that may travel to the lower abdomen or groin. Urinary problems, such as pain with urination or feeling an urgent or frequent need to urinate.
Does hydronephrosis cause leg pain?
These are often nonspecific and may include weakness, malaise, chest pain, shortness of breath, leg swelling, nausea and vomiting.