Blockage of the urine flow at some point in the urinary tract by a mechanical or functional obstacle of congenital or acquired origin.
It causes a dilation of the urinary paths with an increased urine pressure that can cause damage to the kidneys, if not resolved early.
Generally, the obstruction is secondary to the existence of a stone that becomes impacted in the urinary path.
Symptoms include pain in the back on one or both sides, fever, nausea, vomiting, swelling, an urge to urinate frequently, decreased strength of the urine stream, reduced quantity of urine, and blood in urine.
Diagnosis is reached through the clinical history, a physical examination and imaging tests.
Treatment is urgent. A urinary catheter must be inserted into the urethra to empty the bladder and the urine generated in the kidney drained (by a catheter in the urethra or inserted through the skin and placed directly in the renal pelvis).
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