Ureteropelvic junction obstruction: three clinical cases with first symptoms during adolescence

Abstract

Ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) is defined as urine flow blockage occurring where the ureter enters the kidney and is presented as urinary tract dilatation (UTD), formerly named hydronephrosis. The condition may be congenital or acquired. Most UTD are diagnosed by antenatal ultrasonography, but some cases present later. In adolescence, clinical manifestations include intermittent flank or abdominal pain, hematuria, nephrolithiasis, urinary tract infection, deterioration of renal function, or arterial hypertension. The imaging modality of choice to diagnose UTD is ultrasonography (US). A diuretic renography will allow to identify UPJO. Treatment goals are to prevent renal function deterioration and relieve symptoms. Although conservative treatment measures are favored, some patients require surgical correction (pyeloplasty). Three clinical cases with first symptom onset during adolescence are presented. The first case is a 14-year-old boy with abdominal pain suspected to correspond to acute appendicitis; the second case is a healthy 15-year-old female which presented with dysuria and lumbar pain; the third case is a 15-year-old female with prenatal diagnosis of left ureteropelvic dilation but no further medical problems, with left lumbar pain, dysuria, and fever.
Conclusion: A high degree of suspicion is required to include UPJO in the differential diagnosis of flank or back pain in adolescents.