Ureteral Obstruction

 Pathophysiology

Ureteral Obstruction is structural or functional hindrance of normal urine flow, sometimes leading to renal dysfunction (obstructive nephropathy). Ureteral obstruction can be classified as intraluminal or extraluminal. Intraluminal causes include kidney stones, blood clots and scarring; these conditions usually cause unilateral obstruction and Extraluminal causes include several conditions related to enlarged masses that place pressure on the ureter and create obstructions.

 Disease statistics

Occurs in approximately 0.5–1.5 percent of traditional open gynaecological surgery, 0.09 percent at caesarean sections2 and in 1.1 percent of laparoscopic surgeries.

 Disease treatment

Stents or drains placed in the ureter or in a part of the kidney called the renal pelvis may provide short-term relief of symptoms. Long-term relief from obstructive uropathy requires surgery. A Foley catheter, placed through the urethra into the bladder, may also be helpful.

 Major research

Research using postnatal rodent models has primarily focused upon the role of proximal tubular injury, with few reports of collecting duct system pathology or the suitability of the postnatal models for examining injury to the distal nephron.