Clinical manifestations and diagnosis of urinary tract obstruction (UTO) and hydronephrosis - UpToDate

INTRODUCTION Urinary tract obstruction (UTO) occurs due to blockage of urine flow along the urinary tract and generally manifests as hydronephrosis on imaging. UTO may be acute or chronic, partial or complete, and unilateral or bilateral. Kidney function impairment from UTO, if present, is readily reversible if the obstruction is promptly corrected. Uncorrected UTO can lead to progressive kidney function impairment and end-stage kidney disease. This topic will review UTO and hydronephrosis in adults. Other related issues are discussed elsewhere: ● Hydronephrosis in infants and children. (See "Congenital ureteropelvic junction obstruction" and "Primary megaureter in infants and children" and "Clinical presentation and diagnosis of posterior urethral valves" and "Fetal hydronephrosis: Etiology and prenatal management".) ● Management of UTO with ureteral stents. (See "Placement and management of indwelling ureteral stents".) ● Findings related to UTO on imaging. (See "Radiologic assessmen

INTRODUCTION Urinary tract obstruction (UTO) occurs due to blockage of urine flow along the urinary tract and generally manifests as hydronephrosis on imaging. UTO may be acute or chronic, partial or complete, and unilateral or bilateral. Kidney function impairment from UTO, if present, is readily reversible if the obstruction is promptly corrected. Uncorrected UTO can lead to progressive kidney function impairment and end-stage kidney disease. This topic will review UTO and hydronephrosis in adults. Other related issues are discussed elsewhere: ● Hydronephrosis in infants and children. (See "