Bilateral hydronephrosis

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Female urinary tract

Male urinary tract

Hydronephrosis - bilateral

Treating bilateral hydronephrosis includes two facets: relieving obstruction and treating the underlying disorder responsible for the hydronephrosis. Bilateral hydronephrosis results usually (but not always) due to a blockage below the level of the bladder. Thus, placing a Foley catheter may relieve the obstruction.

Draining the bladder or relieving pressure through percutaneous nephrostomy tubes are other options. Once the obstruction is dealt with, then attention must be paid to treat the underlying cause (such as an enlarged prostate).

If an obstruction is detected in a fetus, surgery shortly after birth will optimize the function of the kidneys. Early discovery and intervention in any type of obstructive process will improve the outcome.

Renal insufficiency or failure may develop as a complication of many of the disorders associated with hydronephrosis.

This disorder is usually discovered by the health care provider.

Review Date: 09/13/2005
Reviewed By: Robert Mushnick, M.D., Clinical Assistant Professor, SUNY Downstate Health Center, Brooklyn, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.