Obstructive uropathy involves a blockage of the flow of urine, causing it to back up and injure one or both kidneys.
Alternative Names:
Uropathy - obstructive
Causes, incidence, and risk factors:
Obstructive uropathy occurs when urine cannot drain through a ureter (a tube that carries urine from the kidneys to the bladder). Urine backs up into the kidney and causes it to become swollen (hydronephrosis).
Obstructive uropathy is grouped according to whether it affects one or both kidneys and whether it occurrs suddenly or is long term:
Goldman L, Ausiello D. Cecil Textbook of Medicine, 22nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders; 2004:741-742.
Review Date: 5/10/2006
Reviewed By: Neil D. Sherman, MD, Urologist, Essex County, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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