Hydronephrosis: Might there be an underlying issue?

@xmohashi, did your doctor discover the issue that led to blockage in the tube (ureter) that drains urine from the kidney?

Unfortunately, he did not mention a tube or the cause of this blockage. Since you have mentioned this issue, I shall follow it up with the specialist.
Many thanks

I'll be interested to hear what you learn. Please let me know.

I Will share the result.
Many thanks

I have had left flank pain since late January. Subsequently have been to ER several times and admitted twice. Have had the following tests:
4 X-rays of lungs
2 CTs with contrast of abdomen (one indicating possible hydronephrosis)
2 Renal scans with nuclear med (unremarkable)
Ultrasound of both kidneys
Endoscopy (hiatal hernia, rest unremarkable)
Stress test heart with nuclear contrast (reaction to contrast)
MRI of abdomen with contrast gatalinium - went into anaphylactic shock, results of MRI unremarkable)
I was going to have retrograde pyleogram done next to determine if I have an obstruction somewhere however after the anaphlaxic shock, I don’t believe I want to jump into yet another test with contrast as I believe I may have too much contrast intake already. Is there any testing that can be done to determine blockage or cause of hydronephrosis without contrast? Currently living with terrible left flank pain. Any recommendations are appreciated. Thank you

One more note, successful kidney pyleoplasty done in 1996 and was successful. Same side as flank pain today.

Hi @kelly223, welcome. I moved your post to this existing discussion about hydronephrosis to connect you with others like @pmwilson @xmohashi @harleymama @student672 @gingerw

You asked: "Is there any testing that can be done to determine blockage or cause of hydronephrosis without contrast?"

Might an ultrasound imaging exam be an option for you? Have you asked if the retrograde pyelogram could be done without contrast?

The ultrasound I had done didn’t show blockage, only provided exact measurements of kidneys and that left was dilated.

Would you share what antibiotic they put you on? They tried putting me on Bactrim and Macrobid and I had allergic reaction to both. Nothing further was tried and each I only got about 2 days and then reaction. Thank you.

@kelly223 From my experiences as a long-time kidney patient, and having several testing images of different kinds done, it is not unusual that our kidneys are not the same size. In my case, my right kidney has consistently been a bit larger than my left one. And having kidney pain can be very uncomfortable, right!?

You may want to talk to your doctor about an MRI or CT scan to get a clearer idea of what is going on, if they plan to address the issue. I personally cannot have contrast due to my eGFR of 15% function, but CT scans can be done without it, and they have done it. Something they might be looking for is a twisting or abnormal finding in the area of your pyleoplasty. Has there been an injury in that area, like a blow or jarring, or another procedure nearby?

Do you have any remedies that seem to help you when you experience this pain? Tylenol, or hot compress, perhaps?
Ginger