Urinary and Genital Disorders (Children)

Dilation Of The Kidney

10/02/2008 09:51PM

Question:

My 6 month old has a kidney condition called hydronephrosis. They say there is a dilation in the urinary tract in the upper right kidney pole to 15mm. Also a duplex kidney with relative obstruction of the upper motility. Will he need an operation?

Answer:

It depends on what is causing the hydronephrosis. It is possible that he has an ectopic ureter. Generally, other tests, including a voiding cystourethrogram (in which the bladder is filled with x-ray dye to check for urinary reflux) and a kidney scan (to determine whether the upper part of the kidney has normal or reduced function, and whether there is significant obstruction) are performed. If surgery is necessary, usually it can be performed minimally invasively (i.e., with laparoscopy) rather than through a large incision. It sounds like he should be seen by a pediatric urologist.

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Response by:

Jack S Elder, MD, FACS, FAAP
Chief of Pediatric Urology
Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital
Adjunct Professor and Vice Chairman
Department of Urology
University Hospitals
School of Medicine
Case Western Reserve University