Health Encyclopedia

Bilateral hydronephrosis

Definition

Bilateral hydronephrosis is the enlargement (distention) of the pelvis and urine collecting structures of both kidneys. Bilateral means both sides.

Alternative Names

Hydronephrosis - bilateral

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Bilateral hydronephrosis oocurs when urine is unable to drain from the kidney down the ureters into the bladder. Hydronephrosis is not itself a disease, but rather a physical result of whatever disease is keeping urine from draining out of the kidneys, ureters, and bladder.

Disorders associated with bilateral hydronephrosis include:

Symptoms

Signs of hydronephrosis is generally seen during pregnancy ultrasound studies and as such there are no symptoms in the fetus.

In the newborn, any diagnosed urinary tract infection is reason to suspect some type of obstructive problem in the kidney. In the older child, repeat urinary tract infections are cause for evaluation of possible obstruction.

Unfortunately, with the exception of an increased number of urinary tract infections, obstruction of the urinary tract is often without symptoms.

Signs and tests

Bilateral hydronephrosis may be seen on:

Treatment

Placing a Foley catheter may relieve the obstruction. Other treatment options include draining the bladder or relieving pressure through percutaneous nephrostomy tubes. Once the blockage is treated, attention must be paid to treat the underlying cause (such as an enlarged prostate).

Expectations (prognosis)

Advances in fetal ultrasound have given specialists the ability to diagnose problems caused by bilateral obstruction of the urinary tract in the developing fetus. If an obstruction is detected in a fetus, surgery shortly after birth will improve kidney function.

Newborns who have been previously diagnosed with obstruction while still in the uterus can receive prompt surgical correction of the defects, often with good results.

Complications

Renal insufficiency or failure may develop as a complication of many of the disorders associated with hydronephrosis.

Calling your health care provider

This disorder is usually discovered by the health care provider.

Prevention

A fetal ultrasound can reveal an obstruction of the urinary tract and allow for early surgery with better outcomes in the newborn. Other causes of obstruction, such as kidney stones, can be diagnosed early if individuals recognize early warning signs of obstruction and kidney disease.

Review Date:8/14/2007
Reviewed By:Charles Silberberg, DO, Private Practice specializing in Nephrology, Affiliated with New York Medical College, Division of Nephrology, Valhalla, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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