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Obstructive Uropathy: Meaning in Medical & Treatment

Author: Analgesia logo

Last Updated on February 10, 2025 by Analgesia team

Obstructive Uropathy Meaning in Medical

Uropathy is a disease of the urinary or urogenital organsObstructive uropathy is a type of uropathy that occurs when urine flow is blocked, causing urine to back up and potentially damage the kidneys. 

Symptoms of obstructive uropathy include: 

  • Difficulty starting to urinate
  • Acute urinary retention
  • Lower abdominal discomfort and distention
  • Pain in the flank, testes, suprapubic area, or labia

Common causes of obstructive uropathy include: 

  • Kidney stonesHard deposits of calcium and oxalate that can get stuck in the kidneys or urinary tract 
  • Bladder stonesStones that can block the bladder 
  • Benign prostatic hyperplasiaAn enlarged prostate 
  • CancerCancers of the bladder, ureters, prostate, colon, cervix, uterus, or ovaries 
  • Scar tissueScar tissue in the ureters or urethra 
  • Nerve problemsIssues with the nerves that supply the bladder 
  • Blood clotsBlood clots that can block the ureters 
  • Enlarged lymph nodesEnlarged lymph nodes that can block the ureters 
  • Tissue growthTissue growth like endometriosis that can block the ureters 
  • Urethral stricturesThis is the narrowing of the urethra 
  • Phimosis or paraphimosisThis is a condition that can affect the foreskin 
  • Retroperitoneal fibrosisA condition that can benefit from immune-modulator

Treatment for obstructive uropathy

Treatment for obstructive uropathy primarily focuses on relieving the blockage by draining the urine through a catheter or stent, depending on the location of the obstruction, and then addressing the underlying cause with surgery, medication, or other procedures to remove the blockage, which may include kidney stones, an enlarged prostate, or a tumor; in severe cases, a nephrostomy tube may be needed to directly drain the kidney through the back. 

Key aspects of obstructive uropathy treatment:
  • Drainage procedures:
    • Urethral catheter: A tube inserted through the urethra to drain the bladder, often used as initial management for lower urinary tract obstruction. 
    • Ureteral stent: A small tube placed inside the ureter to keep it open and allow urine flow. 
    • Percutaneous nephrostomy tube: A tube inserted directly into the kidney through the back to drain urine when the obstruction is high in the urinary tract. 
  • Addressing the underlying cause:
    • Medication: For conditions like benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), medications like alpha-blockers can help relax the prostate muscle and improve urine flow. 
    • Surgery:
      • Lithotripsy: Using shock waves to break up kidney stones 
      • Endoscopic procedures: Using a small scope to remove smaller stones or tissue obstructing the ureter 
      • Prostate surgery: For BPH causing significant obstruction 
      • Tumor removal: Surgical removal of a tumor causing obstruction 
Important considerations:
  • Severity of obstruction: If the obstruction is causing severe pain, rapid loss of kidney function, or infection, immediate intervention with drainage procedures is crucial. 
  • Underlying cause: The treatment plan will be tailored based on the cause of the obstruction. 
  • Antibiotics: If a urinary tract infection is present, antibiotics will be administered

 

 

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