Obstructive Uropathy, Pyonephrosis, and Reflux Nephropathy in Adults

Abstract

Urinary tract obstruction refers to the structural or functional changes in the urinary tract that impede the normal flow of urine and is a clinical situation which may be clearly defined by imaging. The different causes of renal obstruction may be easily detected by ultrasound (US) and characterized, thanks to the panoramicity of the new imaging modality such as computed tomography urography (CTU) and magnetic resonance urography (MRU). Pyonephrosis represents the chronic suppurative infection in an obstructed kidney. Grayscale US with tissue harmonic imaging represents the most sensitive imaging technique to detect pyonephrosis. The vesicoureteral reflux is the retrograde flow of urine from the bladder toward the kidney.