Urinary Tract Obstruction
Urinary tract obstruction occurs when urine cannot drain normally from the kidney. Causes include stones, tumours, scarring or an enlarged prostate. Prolonged obstruction can damage kidney function.
Symptoms
Side or back pain, reduced urine output, blood in the urine or urinary infections. Fever with an obstructed kidney can indicate a dangerous infection.
How interventional radiology treats it
Percutaneous nephrostomy places a drainage tube through the skin into the kidney, allowing urine to drain into an external bag. This can relieve pressure and protect kidney function. Once the cause is treated, the tube may be removed or replaced by another drainage method.
Whether this treatment suits you depends on your scans and overall health. A consultation is the first step.
Your doctors
Talk to an interventional radiologist.
Bring any scans or reports you have. We’ll tell you whether this treatment is an option.