Hydronephrosis Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment

Learn about Hydronephrosis symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment at GetWellGo. Trusted care tailored for international patients seeking medical expertise overseas.

Hydronephrosis Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment

  • Category

    Urology

  • Published By

    GetWellGo Team

  • Updated on

    26-May-2025

What is hydronephrosis?

Hydronephrosis is a condition where one or both of the kidneys become swollen due to the buildup of urine. The swelling takes place when urine is blocked from flowing properly from the kidney to the bladder.

Hydronephrosis Symptoms

  • Flank or abdominal pain
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Urinary problems (e.g., difficulty urinating, frequent urination, urgency)
  • Blood in the urine (hematuria)
  • Fever (if infection is present)

Hydronephrosis Causes

Hydronephrosis can be due to many different basic issues:

  • The most usual cause is kidney stones.
  • A urinary tract infection is known as a UTI.
  • Men experience issues with an enlarged prostate (the medical name is prostate hypertrophy).
  • Anomalies that occur during or just after birth (congenital means around the time of birth)
  • Cancers or tumors that cause a blockage in the urinary tract
  • Due to hormonal changes in the body and pressure on the urinary system, many of these problems may appear.

Hydronephrosis Diagnosis

Hydronephrosis is diagnosed by spotting swollen kidneys and learning the reason for the urine backup. Here’s an explanation of the regular diagnostic steps used:

Identifying a Patient’s Medical History & Doing a Physical Exam

  • The symptoms under consideration are flank pain, problems urinating, passing urine too often, painful urgency, nausea or signs of fever.
  • In major cases, doctors may find the abdomen is tender to the touch or that the kidneys can be easily noticed.

Urine Tests

  • Urinalysis is to detect markers of an infection, blood presence or presence of protein in urine.
  • Urine culture helps find bacteria that may cause an infection.

Blood Tests

  • Serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) are included as tests of kidney function.

Imaging 

Ultrasound: 

  • A first choice test for diagnosing hydronephrosis.
  • Presents enlargement of the renal pelvis and calyces.

A CT Scan (Computed Tomography):

  • More informative than an ultrasound.
  • Helps find kidney stones, tumors, strictures or anatomical problems in the urinary tract.

MRI:

  • Used when CT is no suitable for pregnant people or those who have contrast dye allergies.

Voiding Cystourethrogram (examining children):

  • Checks to see whether urine can flow from the bladder up into the kidneys.

Renal Nuclear Scan (Renal Scintigraphy):

  • Checks how well the kidneys are working and how they drain using tiny, safe radioactive substances.

Post-void residual test

  • Checks the results by measuring the urine left in the bladder after using the toilet, to see if trouble with emptying or outlet blockage is present.

Hydronephrosis Treatment

The treatment plan for hydronephrosis depends mostly on two things:

  • Urine blockage
  • How badly the kidneys are swollen and damaged

Treating acute hydronephrosis vs Chronic hydronephrosis:

Acute Hydronephrosis

  • Usually, the cause is sudden blockage, whether from kidney stones or infections.
  • Sometimes, treatment in an emergency is necessary to decrease pressure and help the kidneys recover.

Chronic Hydronephrosis

  • It is commonly the effect of gradual problems such as a large prostate, tumors or birth defects.
  • Doctors concentrate on helping patients live well and slowing kidney harm.

Treatment for Different Types of Cause:

Kidney stones

  • The use of pain medicine, fluid support, shockwave therapy or surgery

A urinary tract infection

  • Your doctor may also prescribe antibiotics and use placing a temporary stent or catheter.

When men develop an enlarged prostate, it is called BPH.

  • Patients may be treated with alpha-blockers, 5-alpha reductase inhibitors or with surgery

Blockage at the connection of the ureter and the kidney

  • For example, repairing the urinary tract using surgery (for instance, pessary placement).

Tumors or narrowed areas

  • Patients may be treated with surgery, chemotherapy, radiation or stenting.

Pregnancy-related

  • Problems usually improve after delivery, but pain relief is given as needed.

Neurogenic bladder

  • You might try catheterizing, bladder exercises or surgery.

How to Relieve Obstructive Lung Diseases:

Ureteral Stent

  • Urine bypasses the blockage when a thin tube is put into the ureter.

Nephrostomy Tube

  • A small tube placed under the skin using surgery to guide urine to an external tube.

Surgery

  • Used when problems (like UPJ obstruction or tumors) in the structure need to be corrected.

Supportive Treatments:

  • Pain management
  • Changes to what you eat and drink
  • Tracking kidney health by doing regular tests

Hydronephrosis in Adults

Hydronephrosis in adults happens when urine collects in the kidneys, usually the result of a blockage or problem in the urinary tract. It is not a disease but a condition and it always reflects a problem that must be addressed.

What Makes Hydronephrosis Occur in Adults?

  • Kidney stones are the number one cause; they obstruct urine flow.
  • A common cause of urine backup in men happens when the prostate is bigger (BPH); it presses on the urethra.
  • A ureteral stricture is a narrowing that occurs in the ureter due to scar tissue, an accident or past surgery.
  • Ureters may be blocked by growths or cancers in any of the following areas: bladder, prostate, uterus or elsewhere.
  • Ureter problems when a woman is pregnant are caused by hormones and pressure on the organs.
  • Sometimes a UTI leads to swelling and can even block the tract.
  • Neurogenic bladder: A condition where the bladder won’t fully empty due to nerve malfunction.
  • In women, when a pelvic organ prolapse happens, either the uterus, bladder or rectum pushes into and squeezes the ureters.
  • When the ureters are wrapped in inflammation and scarring, a condition called retroperitoneal fibrosis often develops.

Hydronephrosis in Pregnancy

The pregnancy-related condition hydronephrosis is when the kidneys swell to an overload of urine. In most pregnancies, it appears on the right side in 90% of cases, is harmless and generally resolves on its own.

What Can Lead to Hydronephrosis in Pregnant Women?

  • Under the influence of progesterone, smooth muscles in the body, including the ureters, are relaxed which slows urine flow.
  • The pressure from a growing uterus usually affects the right ureter.
  • The baby’s position or an enlarged uterus can stop some urine from draining properly.

Severe Hydronephrosis Treatment

If either one or both of the kidneys swell severely due to a full or near plugged urine pathway, it becomes serious hydronephrosis. A rapid response is important to alleviate kidney stress, keep kidneys healthy and find out what is causing the blockage.

First Steps in Treatment

  • Clear blockages in the urinary tract
  • Work to ensure your kidneys don’t suffer from unnecessary damage.
  • Treat what is causing the liver problem
  • Help stop the risk of it leading to infection or sepsis

Needed Drainage Procedures

Patients receive them if their kidneys are struggling and not passing enough urine.

Nephrostomy Placement

  • To drain the urine, a tube is put under the skin and straight into the kidney.
  • Usually chosen for cases of hydronephrosis caused by emergency or infection.

Double-J or JJ Ureteral Stent

  • An internal channel put into the ureter to enable urine to drain from the kidney to the bladder.
  • Can be easily put in place during a cystoscopy done with anaesthesia.

Surgery for Hydronephrosis

Surgery is indicated when hydronephrosis is due to a structural or long-standing obstruction not amenable to medication or temporary drainage (such as stents or nephrostomy tubes). The aim is to restore normal urine flow and maintain kidney function.

Types of Surgery for Hydronephrosis

Pyeloplasty (most common for UPJ obstruction)

  • Used for: Ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction, usually congenital or scar-related.
  • Procedure: The obstructed portion of the ureter is excised, and the healthy sections are joined together.

Methods:

  • Open pyeloplasty (conventional surgery)
  • Laparoscopic pyeloplasty (minimally invasive procedure)
  • Robotic pyeloplasty (more accurate, quicker recovery)
  • Success rate: >90%
  • Recovery: Hospital stay 1–3 days, complete recovery in ~2–4 weeks

Ureteral Reimplantation

  • Applied for: Obstructed lower ureteral obstructions, strictures, or vesicoureteral reflux.
  • Procedure: The ureter is severed from the bladder and reattached in a different position.
  • Typically performed in: Infants with reflux or recurrent infections or strictures in adults.

Endopyelotomy

  • Employed for: UPJ short strictures.
  • Procedure: An incision is made internally in the ureter by a special endoscope to open up the obstruction.
  • Performed via: Retrograde (bladder) or antegrade (nephrostomy).
  • Less invasive but lower success rates than pyeloplasty.

Ureteral Stricture Surgery

  • Employed for: Long or complex ureteral stricture secondary to trauma, previous operation, or infection.
  • Procedure: Stricture is excised and the ureter is rebuilt, at times by grafting or using bowel loops.
  • More complicated operation that needs skilled urologists.

Nephrectomy (only if kidney is non-functional)

  • Used when: Kidney is much damaged and not functional.
  • Procedure: Excision of the diseased kidney (rare, only in late or severe cases).
  • Note: You can survive with one healthy kidney.

Hydronephrosis Medical Tourism Management

Medical tourism management of hydronephrosis consists of planning high-quality, timely, and affordable treatment in India for patients with hydronephrosis. This comprises medical, logistical, and supportive services to provide care without interruption for foreign patients.

Destination Selection

  • Select cities renowned for sophisticated urology treatment, skilled surgeons, and JCI-accredited hospitals.

Treatment Services Coordinated

Diagnostic Evaluation:

  • Pre-arrival teleconsultation
  • Imaging (Ultrasound, CT urogram, Renal scan)
  • Blood and urine tests
  • Renal function assessment

Treatment Options:

  • Temporary drainage: Nephrostomy or ureteral stent
  • Definitive surgery: Pyeloplasty, stricture repair, stone removal
  • Post-op recovery care
  • Long-term kidney monitoring

Medical Travel Coordination

  • Visa Assistance
  • Airport pickup & drop
  • Accommodation
  • Language services
  • Pre/post-travel care

Aftercare & Recovery Support

  • Nurse or translator visits
  • Follow-up lab tests
  • Stent removal (if required)
  • Medical summary and transfer to home doctor
  • Telehealth for ongoing care

Why Choose GetWellGo for Hydronephrosis Treatment?

GetWellGo is regarded as a leading supplier of healthcare services. We help our foreign clients choose the best treatment locations that suit their needs both financially and medically.

We offer:

  • Complete transparency
  • Fair costs.
  • 24 hour availability.
  • Medical E-visas
  • Online consultation from recognized Indian experts.
  • Assistance in selecting India's top hospitals for hydronephrosis treatment.
  • Expert urologists with a strong track record of success
  • Assistance during and after the course of treatment.
  • Language Support
  • Travel and Accommodation Services
  • Case manager assigned to every patient to provide seamless support in and out of the hospital like appointment booking
  • Local SIM Cards
  • Currency Exchange
  • Arranging Patient’s local food
     

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