Presentation and Management of Giant Hydronephrosis in Adults: A Case Series

Abstract

Giant Hydronephrosis (GH) is rare due to improved diagnostic modalities and the ready availability of abdominal imaging. Pelviureteric junction obstruction is the most common aetiology of GH, with abdominal mass or distension being the most common presentation. If GH is not detected early, it can lead to various complications. Authors report three cases of GH in adults who presented to the emergency department with complications. One patient had abdominal distension, while the other two presented with painful abdominal swelling and fever. Two of them were admitted with sepsis, and one had haematuria. Percutaneous Nephrostomy (PCN) catheters were placed in all three cases to decompress the calyceal system, and subsequently, nephrectomy was performed on all of them as the kidneys were not salvageable.

Keywords

• haematuria
• nephrectomy
• percutaneous nephrostomy