Chronic bilateral obstructive uropathy

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Bladder catheterization, female

Bladder catheterization, male

Overview

Symptoms

Treatment

Prevention

Chronic bilateral obstructive uropathy

Alternative Names:

Obstructive uropathy - bilateral - chronic; Kidney failure - chronic blockage

Symptoms:

Symptoms depend on the time course of the obstruction and where in the urinary tract the obstruction occurs.

Some of the most common symptoms of chronic obstructive uropathy include:

Stronger and more frequent urge to urinate
Difficulty initiating the flow of urine (urinary hesitancy)
Dribbling of urine, incontinence
Decreased urine output
Decrease in the force of the urinary stream
Increased need to urinate at night
Burning or stinging with urination
Feeling of incomplete emptying of the bladder
Alternating times of increased urine output and decreased urine output
Fever and chills (if there is also urinary infection)

Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease:

Signs and tests:

A physical exam may show swollen or tender kidneys. The bladder may be large and full. A rectal examination may reveal an enlarged prostate. Signs and symptoms of chronic renal failure may be present. Blood pressure may be high.

A urinalysis and a urine culture (clean catch) may show a urinary tract infection.
A CBC may show an increased white blood cell count
A basic metabolic panel will reveal patient's current kidney function as well as electrolyte balance, which may be abnormal.
A bladder scan (ultrasound) may show a large amount of urine in the bladder after urinating (more than 50 mL).
Uroflowmetry may reveal decreased urinary flow due to a swollen prostate (BPH).

The following tests may show hydronephrosis (swelling of kidneys):

Abdominal ultrasound
CT scan of abdomen and pelvis
Renal scan

References:

Walsh PC. Campbell's Urology. 8th ed. St. Louis, Mo: WB Saunders; 2002:412.

Goldman L, Ausiello D. Cecil Textbook of Medicine, 22nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders; 2004:741-742.

Review Date: 5/3/2006
Reviewed By: Neil D. Sherman, MD, Urologist, Essex County, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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