Authors: Drs Marshall Stoller (university of California SF) and Aaron Berger (Chicago) 2009-12-10
Introduction:
The
kidneys are paired organs with the primary function of helping to remove
toxins from the body and regulate water balance; they are vital to
survival. After urine is produced in the kidneys, it must
pass down to the bladder where it can be stored before being eliminated
from the body through the urethra. At almost any point in this pathway, urine can become obstructed and may lead to kidney damage. When severe, this can cause a patient to require a kidney transplant or dialysis to sustain life. Obstruction can be present from birth or it may develop later in life. The most common causes of obstruction include stones, strictures, tumors, and bladder dysfunction. This article will discuss the various causes and treatments of urinary tract obstruction.