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Diagnosis of Hydronephrosis

Hydronephrosis is initially diagnosed from your symptoms and a physical examination to check for swelling in your side or abdomen caused by a swollen kidney. Your doctor will then need to perform tests to confirm their diagnosis. These tests are also used to detect hydronephrosis that is suspected but does not have any symptoms.

The tests may include:

• a CT scan (computerised tomography scan),
• an MRI scan (magnetic resonance imaging scan),
• an ultrasound scan,
• intravenous urography – a procedure where your kidneys are X-rayed after a dye that can be seen on X-rays has been injected into your bloodstream. The test provides information about the flow of urine through your kidneys,
• an endoscopy – a procedure where a flexible viewing tube is inserted into your urethra to look at possible sites of blockage, and
• a urine test.

Early diagnosis of hydronephrosis is important as most blockages causing the condition can be corrected. A delay in treatment can lead to permanent kidney damage.

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