Injury - kidney and ureter

Kidney anatomy

The kidneys are responsible for removing wastes from the body, regulating electrolyte balance and blood pressure, and stimulating red blood cell production.

Also known as: Kidney damage, Toxic injury of the kidney, Kidney injury, Traumatic injury of the kidney, Fractured kidney, Inflammatory injury of the kidney, Bruised kidney or Ureteral injury

Definition

Injury to the kidney and ureter is damage to these organs of the upper urinary tract.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

The kidneys are located in the flank (back of the upper abdomen at either side of the spinal column). They are deep in the abdomen and are protected by the spine, lower rib cage, and strong muscles of the back. This location protects the kidneys from many outside forces.

The kidneys are well-padded for a reason -- they have a large blood supply. Injury can lead to severe bleeding.

Kidneys may be injured by damage to the blood vessels that supply or drain them, including:

Kidney injuries may also be caused by:

  • Angiomyolipoma, a noncancerous tumor
  • Autoimmune disorders
  • Bladder outlet obstruction
  • Cancer of the kidney, pelvis, or colon
  • Diabetes, high blood pressure, or other medical conditions that affect the kidneys
  • Excess buildup of body waste products such as uric acid (which can occur with gout or treatment of bone marrow, lymph node, or other disorders)
  • Exposure to toxic substances such as lead, cleaning products, solvents, fuels, or long-term use of high-dose pain medications (analgesic nephropathy)
  • Inflammation caused by immune responses to medications, infection, or other disorders
  • Medical procedures such as kidney biopsy, or nephrostomy tube placement
  • Ureteropelvic junction obstruction
  • Ureteral obstruction

The ureters are the tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder. Uretral injuries may be caused by:

Symptoms

Acute or emergency symptoms may include:

Long-term (chronic) symptoms may include:

If only one kidney is affected and the other kidney is healthy, you may not have any symptoms.

Signs and tests

The health care provider may find the source of the injury by reviewing your:

  • History of physical injury
  • Exposure to toxic substances
  • Recent infections or illness

A physical exam may reveal:

  • Excess bleeding (hemorrhage)
  • Extreme tenderness over the kidney
  • Shock, including rapid heart rate or falling blood pressure
  • Signs of kidney failure

Tests that may be done include:

Treatment

The goals are to treat emergency symptoms and prevent or treat complications. You may need to stay in a hospital for close observation because of the risk of internal blood loss from an injured kidney.

Nonsurgical treatments for kidney injury may include:

  • Analgesics for pain relief
  • Bed rest for 1 - 2 weeks or until bleeding is reduced
  • Close observation and treatment for symptoms of kidney failure
  • Dietary restrictions
  • Medications to treat damage caused by toxic substances or illnesses (for example, chelation therapy for lead poisoning or allopurinol to lower uric acid in the blood due to gout)
  • Stopping medications or exposure to substances that may have injured the kidney
  • Medications such as corticosteroids or immunosuppressants if the injury was caused by inflammation
  • Treatment of acute kidney failure

Surgical treatments for kidney injury may include:

  • Surgery to repair a "fractured" or torn kidney, torn blood vessels, torn ureter, or similar injury
  • Surgery to remove the entire kidney (nephrectomy), drain the space around the kidney, or stop the bleeding (angioembolization)

Surgery may be needed to treat a ureter injury.

Expectations (prognosis)

The outcome depends on the cause and extent of injury. The damage may be mild and reversible, immediately life-threatening, or long-term and causing complications.

The kidney may return to normal function, or it may go into acute or chronic failure.

Complications

Calling your health care provider

Call your health care provider if you have symptoms of an injury to the kidney or ureter, especially if you have a history of:

  • Exposure to toxic substances
  • Illness
  • Infection
  • Physical injury

Go to the emergency room or call the local emergency number (such as 911) if you have decreased urine output after a kidney injury. This may be a symptom of kidney failure.

Prevention

You can help prevent injury to the kidneys and ureter by following these precautions:

  • Be aware of possible sources of lead poisoning, such as old paints, vapors from working with lead-coated metals, and alcohol distilled in recycled car radiators.
  • Follow your health care provider's directions for using all medications, including over-the-counter medications.
  • Follow your health care provider's instructions for treating gout and other illnesses.
  • Use appropriate safety equipment during work and play.
  • Use cleaning products, solvents, and fuels as directed in a well-ventilated area because the fumes may also be toxic.
  • Wear seat belts and drive safely.

References

Molitoris BA. Acute kidney injury. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 121.

See also:

  • Disease

    Sepsis

    Antibodies

    Sepsis is a severe illness in which the bloodstream is overwhelmed by bacteria.

  • Disease

    Acute kidney failure

    Kidney anatomy

    Acute (sudden) kidney failure is the sudden loss of the ability of the kidneys to remove waste and concentrate urine without losing .

  • Disease

    Renovascular hypertension

    Hypertensive kidney

    Renovascular hypertension is high blood pressure due to narrowing of the arteries that carry blood to the kidneys. See also:

  • Disease

    Arterial embolism

    Arterial embolism

    Arterial embolism is a sudden interruption of blood flow to an organ or body part due to a clot (embolus).

  • Disease

    Peritonitis

    Peritoneal sample

    Peritonitis is an inflammation (irritation) of the peritoneum, the thin tissue that lines the inner wall of the abdomen and covers most of the abdominal organs.

  • Disease

    Renal vein thrombosis

    Kidney anatomy

    Renal vein thrombosis is a that develops in the vein that drains blood from the kidney.

  • Disease

    Glomerulonephritis

    Kidney anatomy

    Glomerulonephritis is a type of in which the part of your kidneys that helps filter waste and fluids from the blood is damaged.

  • Disease

    Chronic kidney disease

    Kidney anatomy

    Chronic kidney disease is the slow loss of kidney function over time. The main function of the kidneys is to remove wastes and excess water from the body.

  • Disease

    Renal artery stenosis

    Kidney anatomy

    Renal artery stenosis is a narrowing or blockage of the artery that supplies blood to the kidney. See also:

  • Disease

    Analgesic nephropathy

    Male urinary system

    Analgesic nephropathy involves damage to one or both kidneys caused by overexposure to mixtures of medications, especially over-the-counter pain remedies (analgesics).

  • Disease

    Acute tubular necrosis

    Kidney anatomy

    Acute tubular necrosis is a kidney disorder involving damage to the tubule cells of the kidneys, resulting in .

  • Disease

    Gout

    Uric acid crystals

    Gout is a kind of arthritis that occurs when builds up in the joints. Acute gout is a painful condition that typically affects one joint. Chronic gout is repeated episodes of pain and inflammation, which may involve more than one joint.

Review date:
September 3, 2010
Reviewed by:
David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; Scott Miller, MD, Urologist in private practice in Atlanta, Georgia. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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