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5 .3
C urriculum in Urology
Renal Failure and Androlo-
gy
Obstructive Nephropathy:
Causes and Management
Patrick O’Boyle, Tim Porter
Department of Urology, Taunton and Somerset Hospital, Taunton, UK
Obstructive Nephropathy: Causes and Management Eur Urol 1999;36/2 (Curric Urol 5.3:1–11)
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Renal Blood Flow and TxA2 following obstruction [13]. The renin
The kidney responds to obstruction initially secretion effects can be reversed by cyclo-oxy-
by an increase in RBF due to vasodilatation of genase pathway inhibition. Histamine via H1
the afferent arteriole presumably in an attempt receptors and atrial natriuretic peptide are also
to maintain the GFR. The mediators for the likely to be involved in the RBF changes which
phases of change in RBF appear to be are unaffected by adrenergic blockage. The
eicosanoidal since the initial increase in blood renin-angiotensin system is important in both
flow and related increase in ureteric pressure renal perfusion and in renal development [14].
can be prevented by administration of non- Inhibition of ACE and angiotensin II receptor
steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs acting to blockade attenuate the increased expression of
inhibit prostaglandin formation. A relative TGF-b1 in tubular cells and may slow the
increase in PGE2 is also seen in the non- fibrotic process in obstructed kidneys via
obstructed moiety. increased bradykinin levels and nitric oxide
Angiotensin II and TxA2 have a vasocon- generation [2]. The balance of effect of ACE
strictor role in the obstructed kidney resulting inhibitors in the acute obstructive phase lies
in effective shutdown of that side with transfer between the protection against the fibrosing
of function to the remaining normal renal processes and the vascular effects on the
mass. Suppression of these pathways by ACE glomerular arteriole which may compromise
inhibitors or prostaglandin synthetase inhib- GFR.
itors may accelerate injury [11].
The blood flow to the affected kidney con- Glomerular Filtration Rate
tinues to fall to around 12% of control levels at Following ureteric obstruction the GFR falls
8 weeks, though this is not of uniform distrib- mainly due to decreased afferent arteriolar
ution in the renal substance. A relative pressure which reduces blood flow and conse-
decrease in the proportion of blood flow to the quently the glomerular capillary pressure. The
outer cortex is noted with a redistribution of increase in intratubular pressure resulting from
flow to the inner cortex and to the medulla obstruction exacerbates the situation within
[12]. The balance between the effects of the the glomerulus. The selective diversion of RBF
renin-angiotensin and prostaglandin-throm- to the cortical areas may also play a part in
boxane systems on RBF are not fully under- reducing the ultrafiltration coefficient of the
stood. Initial studies in canine models using glomerular capillary wall and consequently
indomethacin and thromboxane synthetase GFR. The difference in hydrostatic pressure
4 inhibitors confirm the enhanced levels of PGE2 between the glomerular capillary lumen and
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(4) RBF is decreased in BUO although the Table 5. Investigation of obstructive nephropathy
medullo-cortical redistribution of flow noted in
unilateral obstruction does not occur [4]. The 1 Medical history, symptoms, signs and careful clinical
examination
decreased filtration in juxtamedullary neph- 2 Plain abdominal film
rons so marked in UUO is not therefore appar- 3 Ultrasound of upper and lower urinary tracts
4 Intravenous urogram
ent in bilateral obstruction. 5 CT or MRI scanning
(5) GFR is reduced in both circumstances, 6 Retrograde pyelography and screening
but for different reasons. In UUO there is vaso- 7 Isotope renography
constriction in the afferent glomerular arteriole
with tubular collapse microscopically evident.
In BUO the GFR is reduced as a result of
increased proximal tubular pressure and plain abdominal X-ray will confirm the clinical
despite efferent arteriolar constriction. diagnosis in most cases. It must be emphasised,
(6) Following relief of obstruction natriure- however, that dilatation does not necessarily
sis and diuresis occur in BUO but not UUO. mean obstruction.
Serum atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) is ele- The ‘casualty officer intravenous urogram’
vated in BUO as a result of fluid overload via (IVU), a single shot of contrast given at the time
stimulation of atrial receptors [1]. Whether this of the initial plain abdominal film, and followed
is the primary cause for the inability to con- 20 min later by a further film, may still be a
centrate urine following relief of obstruction is valuable acute investigation in departments
not clear. with limited radiology facilities. It will provide
The expression of aquaporin-2, one of a immediate confirmation of an effectively func-
group of transmembrane water channels sen- tioning contralateral kidney in unilateral
sitive to antidiuretic hormone, is decreased in obstruction, and will give an indication of the
BUO and persists following release of obstruc- severity and level of obstruction on the affect-
tion providing further evidence that the direct ed side.
effect of obstruction on the kidney may impair Infinitely preferable is a properly conducted
the return of function [2]. urogram by an experienced radiologist. Atten-
tion to the nephrogram phases and repeated
later films may confirm residual function in an
Investigation of Obstructive obstructed unit up to 24 h after contrast injec-
Nephropathy tion.
The development of interventional radiolo-
In the majority of cases diagnosis of the gy as a specialty has meant that an immediate
cause of the obstruction can be made by eval- decision can be taken to proceed to percuta-
uation of clinical symptoms and signs (table 5). neous nephrostomy for the relief of intralumi-
A well-taken clinical history augmented by nal pressure, to obtain samples for microbio-
careful examination will direct attention to the logical analysis, and to conduct further evalu-
site of the blockage. An acute onset with con- ation by gentle antegrade pyelography.
comitant pyrexia, loin tenderness, vomiting The ‘gold standard’ in urological obstruction
and electrolyte disturbance will require speedy at present is spiral CT or other cross-sectional
diagnosis and intervention. This is one of the imaging techniques used to provide an imme-
few genuine emergencies in urology practice. diate definitive diagnosis and opportunity for
It is vital to know the state of function of both interventional radiology.
kidneys, particularly in supravesical obstruc- When the acute situation has been effec-
tion. tively treated, a more leisurely approach to
Ultrasonography provides an immediate investigation by isotope renography, retro-
rapid non-invasive assessment of both kidney grade catheterisation and screening, CT scan-
F and bladder anatomy. This combined with a ning and MRI studies can be undertaken.
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Percutaneous nephrostomy
JJ stent insertion antegrade or retrograde
Endoscopic manipulation under radiological control
Ureteroscopic and pyeloscopic intervention
Dormia basket extraction
Lithoclast or laser fragmentation
Diathermy or laser coagulation and vapourisation
Open surgery
Exicision and anastomosis
Psoas hitch
Boari flap
Appendix
Illustrative Cases
Obstructive Nephropathy: Causes and Management Eur Urol 1999;36/2 (Curric Urol 5.3:1–11)
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a b
a b c d
Case 4. A 68-year-old male with left loin pain 15 Vaughan ED Jr, Gillenwater JY: Recovery following com-
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CT scan had shown urinoma in the left 16a Nagle RB, Bulger RE, Cutler RE, Jervis HR, Benditt EP:
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tem. b Pigtail stent decompressing the left kid- 774–780.
ney and below the stent in the urinoma. Stric- 18 Chevalier RL: Growth factors and apoptosis in neonatal
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Obstructive Nephropathy: Causes and Management Eur Urol 1999;36/2 (Curric Urol 5.3:1–11)
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