Urinary Tract Obstruction in Cleveland, OH

The basic function of the kidney is the formation of an ultra-filtrate. Once this occurs, the remaining portions of the urinary tract function is to eliminate urine. When there is a structural impedance to the flow of urine anywhere along that tract, it is described as obstructive uropathy. Obstruction with subsequent hydronephrosis is a common clinical occurrence.

Urinary tract obstruction can result in a wide range of symptoms from asymptomatic to severe renal colic and renal failure. The symptoms depend upon:

• Duration over which the obstruction occurs.
• Unilateral or bilateral obstruction.
• Complete or partial obstruction.
• Etiology of obstruction.

What Causes a Urinary Tract Obstruction?

Urinary tract obstruction can be caused a range of things, stones, swelling or malignant tissues in the urinary tract. Cleveland clinic listed some causes:

• Meatal stenosis
• Urethral strictures
• Posterior urethral valves
• Ectopic ureters
• Ureteroceles
• Ureterovesical obstruction
• Ureteropelvic junction obstruction
• Spina bifida/Myelo meningiocele
• Vesicoureteral re-flux
• BPH
• Prostate cancer
• Bladder cancer
• Ureteral stone
• Retroperitoneal fibrosis
• Extrinsic obstruction of ureter
• Neurogenic bladder

How Are Urinary Tract Obstructions Diagnosed?

• Excretory urography
• Ultrasonography
• Renal flow scan
• Diuretic renal flow scan
• CT scan