A UPJ obstruction is a blockage preventing urine flow from the renal pelvis to the bladder, often caused by malformations during fetal development. Symptoms include abdominal swelling, blood in urine, and decreased urine output. Mild cases can resolve on their own, while more serious cases require surgery. Patients with a history of kidney surgery or stones are at increased risk and should seek medical attention if symptoms arise. Trauma can also cause UPJ obstruction.
A ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction is a blockage that prevents fluid from flowing from the renal pelvis into the ureter, the tube that carries urine to the bladder so it can be expressed. The renal pelvis essentially acts like a funnel for urine, and when it becomes blocked, urine can back up into the kidney, causing kidney damage. This condition most commonly occurs as a congenital anomaly caused by malformations during fetal development, although it can also have extrinsic causes.
Patients with a UPJ obstruction may experience abdominal swelling and tenderness, blood in the urine, and decreased urine output. This condition is often diagnosed during a prenatal ultrasound, where the malformation can be clearly visualized and addressed shortly after birth. In cases where the cause is extrinsic, such as in the case of an obstruction caused by scarring, a kidney stone, or infection, a UPJ obstruction may be diagnosed in response to blood tests indicating abnormal kidney function, followed by ultrasound to evaluate kidney health.
If a UPJ obstruction is mild, it can be left alone and allowed to resolve on its own. The patient may be given medications to clear the infection or to break a kidney stone, and the patient will be checked at a follow-up appointment to see if the UPJ has cleared. More serious obstructions such as total blockages and blockages that don’t clear up will require surgery. Surgery may include placement of a stent to temporarily drain the kidney until the site has healed.
Surgery for a UPJ blockage can take several forms, with some procedures being more invasive than others. The choice of surgery is usually dictated by the cause of the obstruction, the patient’s general health, and the surgeon’s preferences. Recovery times vary and generally include monitoring to check urine output and follow-up care to confirm the obstruction has been successfully removed.
People who have had kidney surgery are at an increased risk of developing UPJ obstruction and should seek the attention of a urologist if they develop any of the symptoms. The same is true for patients with a history of kidney stones. A UPJ obstruction can also occur as a result of physical trauma, one of many reasons an evaluation should be conducted after a car accident, serious fall, or fight, even if a patient feels fine. A medical exam can also reveal problems such as internal bleeding that could cause serious complications.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
