Unilateral obstructive uropathy occurs when urine cannot drain through a ureter because of an obstruction. Urine backs up into the kidney and causes distention of the renal pelvis and calyces (hydronephrosis).
The blockage is most often caused by a kidney stone, although injury or other conditions could cause the disorder.
Risks for unilateral obstructive uropathy include ureteral stones and tumors, kidney stones, and tumors in surrounding structures such as the uterine cervix.
The disorder may result in permanent damage to the kidney and may be a cause of hypertension. It usually does not cause kidney failure because the second kidney continues to function.
Acute unilateral obstructive uropathy occurs in 1 in 1,000 people.
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