Do you have flank pain all the time but no stones? Did you doctor tell you your kidney is swollen.  You may have ureteropelvic junction obstruction.  Do you have pain every time you have coffee or drink alcohol?  That is called Dietels crisis.  Its when a blocked kidney feels more pressure from the diuretic (extra urine production) effect of alcohol or caffeine or just too much water.

An ultrasound and then a Ct-scan is performed to identify the anatomy and then a renal scan is performed to show the blockage and function of the kidney. 

Ureteropelvic junction obstruction in adults is fixed with surgery or endoscopic balloon dilation and cutting Acucise endopyelotomy or Percutaneous Endopyelotomy http://www.appliedmed.com/professionals/procedure_detail.aspx?proceGroupID=4&proceID=29&Title=Acucise%3Csup%3E%C2%AE%3C%2Fsup%3E+Endopyelotomy%2F+Endoureterotomy

Using standard laparoscopic technique or the Da-Vinci Robot (Intuitive surgical) The scared area of the ureter and be cut and the ureter repaired with small incisions (between a dime and a quarter in length)  a indwelling stent (plastic tube) is left inside to allow healing.  Patients usually are eating the next day and leave the hospital in 2 days. 

in small children or adults with complicated anatomy the open surgical approach with a large incision is still standard of care. 

I have published peer-reviewed articles on complications and treatments of this disorder and on radiology tests to diagnosis this disorder.

You must be logged in to post a comment.