Urinary Tract Obstruction
| Overview |
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- Urinary Tract Obstruction is a generic term referring to physical obstruction of urine flow through the urinary tract. Although a wide variety of etiologies can cause obstruction of the urinary tract, a common pathogenic sequence and set of clinical consequences result.
| Etiologies |
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- Hypospadia and Epispadia: Congenital stricture of the urethra
- Renal and Urinary Tract Stones: Calculi may block ureters or urethra
- Necrotizing Papillitis: Sloughing of necrotic renal papillae may block ureters
- Neurogenic Bladder: Not a physical, but instead a functional, obstruction due to inability of bladder to void. Most urologists would term this "Urinary Retention" rather than obstruction.
- Pregnancy: Pressure from fetus may impede flow of urine
- Tumors: BPH, prostate adenocarcinoma, urothelial cell carcinoma]]s may anatomically block passage of urine
- Inflammatory diseases: Prostatitis and urethritis may cause constriction of urinary tract
| Clinical Consequences |
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- Symptomology
- Flank Pain: Severe flank pain may result if obstruction develops relatively acutely. However, a slowly developing obstruction may develop painlessly.
- Complications
- Urinary Tract Infection: Stasis of urine increases risk of developing infection
- Hydronephrosis: Progressive dilation of the renal pelvis and calyces (See page)
- Postrenal Acute Renal Failure: When obstruction is severe and bilateral, backup of urine into both kidneys can cause acute renal failure
| Subtopics |
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