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Acute bilateral obstructive uropathy - Overview

Alternative Names

Urethral obstruction; Acute urethral obstruction; Obstructive uropathy - bilateral - acute

Definition of Acute bilateral obstructive uropathy:

Acute bilateral obstructive uropathy is a sudden blockage of the flow of urine from both kidneys. The kidneys continue to produce urine in the normal manner, but because urine does not drain properly, the kidneys start to swell.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

In men, acute bilateral obstructive uropathy is most often a result of an enlarged prostate. Other causes in men include:

Bladder cancer
Kidney stones
Prostate cancer

Acute bilateral obstructive uropathy is much less common in women, but may be due to:

Bladder cystocele
Cervical cancer
Injury from surgery involving the reproductive organs
Pregnancy

Other causes in men and women include:

Blood clots
Neurogenic bladder
Other rare retroperitoneal processes
Papillary necrosis
Posterior urethral valves in infant boys

Acute bilateral obstructive uropathy occurs in about 5 out of 10,000 people.

Bladder catheterization, female

Bladder catheterization, male

Female urinary tract

Male urinary tract

Reviewed last on: 3/22/2010
Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine; Scott Miller, MD, Urologist in private practice in Atlanta, Georgia. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc

References

Pais VM Jr, Strandhoy JW, Assimos DG. Pathophysiology of urinary tract obstruction. Campbell-Walsh Urology. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 37.

Hsu THS, Streem SB, Nakada SY. Management of upper urinary tract obstruction. In: Wein AJ, ed. Campbell-Walsh Urology. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 38.

McAninch JW, Santucci RA. Renal and ureteral trauma. In: Wein AJ, ed. Campbell-Walsh Urology. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 39.

Frøkiaer J, Zeidel ML. Urinary tract obstruction. In: Brenner BM, ed. Brenner and Rector's The Kidney. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 35.

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