Obstructive uropathy due to ureterolithiasis

Case contributed by Bálint Botz
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Right-sided renal colic. Elevated inflammatory markers.

Patient Data

Age: 50 years
Gender: Female
  • Marked hydronephrosis on the right (grade: 3), with accompanying dilation of the proximal ureter. 
  • Reflective nephrolith in the lower third of the right kidney, causing posterior acoustic shadowing.
  • Perirenal fat stranding and small amount of fluid. 
  • Incidentally an about 55 mm, inhomogeneously hypoechogenic, vascularized lesion is visible in the fundus of the uterus, possibly representing a uterine fibroid. 

Findings altogether are in line with severe right-sided obstructive uropathy.

CT was requested to rule out pelvicalyceal rupture due to the presence of perirenal fluid. 

  • Severe right-sided hydronephrosis redemonstrated, along with the kidney stone, proximal ureteric dilation, and perirenal stranding.
  • An about 3 mm hyperdense, obstructing stone is visible in the ureter at the level of the L5 vertebra. 
  • In the urographic phase the right kidney shows delayed contrast excretion.
  • Pelvicalyceal system rupture can be excluded. 
  • The uterine lesion shows irregular internal enhancement. The most likely diagnosis remains uterine fibroid, ob/gyn follow-up recommended. 

Case Discussion

The case demonstrates severe obstructive nephropathy and its imaging correlates, which was caused by a small nephrolith becoming lodged in the ureter. 

This case is also contributed by Dr. Sándor Szukits. 

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