Emergency management of ureteric obstruction

Ureteral obstruction is typically associated with hydronephrosis and pain but can also be associated with infection. Infected hydronephrosis due ureteral obstruction is a urologic emergency that requires prompt decompression of the collecting system by way of retrograde ureteral catheterization or percutaneous nephrostomy in order to relieve obstruction and enhance the efficacy of antibiotic treatment. Although there are other indications for urinary drainage in the setting of ureteral obstruction, including relief of pain and preservation of renal function, drainage of the obstructed, infected kidney constitutes an absolute indication for urinary drainage and a urologic emergency.