Kidney Blockage and Hydronephrosis Treatment in Johor Bahru and Batu Pahat, Johor
Consultant urologist Dato’ Dr Azhar Amir Hamzah finds the cause of a swollen kidney and treats the blockage to protect your kidney function.
What is hydronephrosis?
Hydronephrosis is swelling of the kidney caused by urine that cannot drain properly to the bladder. It is a sign of a blockage or a backflow of urine, not a disease on its own. If the cause is not treated, the kidney can slowly lose function.
Symptoms
- Pain in the side or back, sometimes worse after drinking a lot
- Urine infections or fever
- Passing less urine than usual
- Often no symptoms; it may be found on an ultrasound, including in pregnancy or before birth
Common causes
- A kidney stone blocking the ureter
- A narrowing where the kidney joins the ureter (pelviureteric junction obstruction), sometimes present from birth
- An enlarged prostate blocking the bladder outlet
- Narrowing of the ureter or urethra (stricture)
- Tumours or growths pressing on the urinary tract
How Dato’ Dr Azhar assesses and treats kidney blockage
Dato’ Dr Azhar uses ultrasound, CT and, when needed, a kidney function scan to find where the blockage is and how well the kidney is working. Urgent drainage with a small tube (stent) may be needed if there is infection or pain.
The lasting treatment depends on the cause: removing a stone, treating an enlarged prostate, or repairing a narrowing. A narrowing where the kidney meets the ureter can be repaired with keyhole surgery called pyeloplasty, which reconnects the kidney to the ureter so urine drains freely.
When to see a urologist
- A scan report mentioning hydronephrosis or a swollen kidney
- Ongoing side pain with urine infections
- A baby or child diagnosed with kidney swelling on a scan
- Fever with side pain: seek urgent care
FAQs
Is hydronephrosis serious?
It can be if left untreated, because the kidney may lose function. Finding and treating the cause early protects the kidney.
Does mild hydronephrosis always need surgery?
No. Mild swelling, especially in pregnancy or in babies, is often monitored with repeat scans.
What is a pyeloplasty?
It is an operation to repair a narrowing where the kidney joins the ureter, usually done by keyhole surgery.