Definition
Impaired drainage between the kidney pelvis and ureter, sometimes detected before birth.
Symptoms
Often silent; flank pain, infection or intermittent vomiting.
How it may be discovered
Prenatal ultrasound or assessment of pain and kidney dilation.
When to seek care
Fever with pain, a solitary kidney or reduced urine requires urgent assessment.
Investigations and tests
Serial ultrasound and sometimes a renal scan to assess drainage and function.
Reaching a diagnosis
Dilation alone does not prove an obstruction that requires surgery.
Treatment options
Monitoring when function and findings are stable; pyeloplasty for selected functional impact or symptoms.
Explore this topic further
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