{"id":4036,"date":"2018-01-01T07:17:24","date_gmt":"2018-01-01T07:17:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newyorkurologyspecialists.com\/urinary-problems\/?page_id=4036"},"modified":"2018-08-12T20:40:53","modified_gmt":"2018-08-12T20:40:53","slug":"ureter","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.newyorkurologyspecialists.com\/urinary-problems\/ureter\/","title":{"rendered":"Ureteral Obstruction: Top Specialists in New York City"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ureteral Obstruction and Hydronephrosis Treatment: Experienced Specialists in New York<\/h1>\n

by Dr. Alex Shteynshlyuger<\/a>, a board-certified urologist and specialist in the treatment of urinary problems in men and women including frequent urination, burning with urination and urinary retention.  <\/p>\n

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If you have any questions, to schedule a consultation<\/a> or if you need a second opinion<\/a>, please <\/a>contact us<\/a> or call: 646-663-4151<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

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What is Hydronephrosis, Ureteral Obstruction, and Hydroureter?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\"\"The ureter is a tube that connects the kidney to the bladder<\/strong>.  Urine flows through the ureter from the kidney where it is made to the bladder where it is stored before urination.  Normally, each person has 2 ureters<\/strong>: one on the right and one on the left. Each ureter connects right kidney and left kidney respectively to the bladder.  A small number of men and women are born with only one kidney and have one ureter; others lose a kidney (and ureter) to trauma or surgery.<\/p>\n

Some patients have partially duplicated ureter<\/strong> or completely duplicated ureter on one side or less commonly on both sides.  As a result, rare patients with bilateral ureteral duplication may have as many as 4 ureters.<\/p>\n

Ureteral obstruction<\/strong> or blockage prevents urine from passing from the kidney, where it is made, down to the bladder where it is typically stored.  As a result of ureteral obstruction, the kidney swells up with urine that it makes.  Kidney swelling<\/strong> with urine or dilatation<\/u><\/strong> of the kidney renal pelvis<\/u> to be more precisely anatomically correct is called hydronephrosis<\/strong>.   When the blockage occurs in the ureter, usually the ureter as well as up as well as a kidney.  Dilatation of the ureter is called a hydroureter.  Dilatation of both the kidney and the ureter is cold hydroureteronephrosis<\/strong> but commonly hydronephrosis is used to refer to dilatation of both ureter and the kidney.<\/p>\n

What is the Danger of Hydronephrosis?<\/h2>\n

Any process that leads to blockage of urine flow from the kidney to the bladder can cause kidney damage.  It can also predispose patients to infection and pain.  Kidneys filter out substances that are not needed in the body.<\/strong>  If the kidney cannot filter these substances out and get rid of them in the urine, accumulations of these substances can be dangerous and life-threatening<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Ureteral obstruction is particularly dangerous in patients with only one kidney or in patients with underlying kidney dysfunction caused by high blood pressure, diabetes or other problems.<\/p>\n

What are the Causes of Ureteral Obstruction and Hydronephrosis?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Most common causes of ureteral obstruction and hydronephrosis are kidney stones and ureteral stones. <\/p>\n

Ureteral strictures<\/strong> or narrowing, caused by infection, scarring or injury from trauma or surgery can also cause hydronephrosis.  <\/p>\n

Compression of the ureter<\/strong> by abdominal masses, large uterine fibroids, severe constipation, colon cancer, bladder cancer, prostate cancer, cervical cancer, uterine cancer and other processes can also lead to ureteral obstruction and hydronephrosis.  Lymphoma and retroperitoneal fibrosis can also cause ureteral blockage.<\/p>\n

Urinary retention<\/strong> (incomplete bladder emptying<\/a>) can cause non-obstructive hydronephrosis from urine backing up from the bladder up into the kidneys.<\/p>\n

UPJ (ureteropelvic junction) obstruction<\/strong><\/a> is another common cause of ureteral obstruction and hydronephrosis. Usually, the cause of UPJ is thought to be congenital (people are born with it). <\/p>\n

Symptoms of Ureteral Obstruction and Hydronephrosis<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Many patients have minimal or vague symptoms from ureteral obstruction<\/strong> and hydronephrosis in particular in the process is gradual and long-standing.  Patients may experience vague flank or back discomfort<\/strong> intermittently or constantly.  Some patients experience worsening of pain or discomfort when they drink alcoholic beverages.<\/p>\n

In patients with obstruction caused by kidney stones<\/strong>, the pain is usually more acute, severe and often associated with nausea and vomiting which typically brings patients to the emergency room.<\/p>\n

Why is Ureteral Obstruction an Urgent Problem?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Ureteral obstruction can predispose to infection and severe sepsis<\/strong> (systemic blood infection).  In addition, ureteral obstruction if prolonged can permanently damage kidney function<\/strong> which could be deadly or require hemodialysis.<\/p>\n

In patients with cancer, prompt treatment of ureteral obstruction and hydronephrosis is important.<\/p>\n

Treatment Options for Ureteral Obstruction<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Treatment of ureteral obstruction usually involves 2 parts.  The first part of treatment is aimed at allowing kidneys to drain and functioning normally.  This can be accomplished by inserting a ureteral stent<\/a>, which is a small plastic tube it is inserted inside the ureter to prop it open.  Alternatively, percutaneous nephrostomy which is a small tube that can be inserted directly into the kidney through the skin that overlies kidneys. <\/p>\n

The second part of treatment for ureteral obstruction is addressing the underlying cause of ureteral obstruction.  In some patients, the problem may be caused by kidney stones which may be broken at the same time that ureteral JJ stent<\/a> is inserted or stones can be broken subsequently. <\/p>\n

In patients with ureteral strictures, appropriate treatment such as ureteral stricture repair can be performed.  In men and women with hydronephrosis from ureteral compression from cancer, treatment of underlying cancer with curative chemotherapy, surgery or radiation can address the underlying problem.<\/p>\n

Why Choose New York Urology Specialists for Treatment of Ureteral Obstruction, Stricture and Hydronephrosis?<\/h2>\n