A disorder involving sudden blockage of the flow of urine out of the bladder and urethra, which may result in the backup of urine and injury to both kidneys.

Obstructive uropathy occurs when the flow of urine is blocked. The kidneys produce urine in the normal manner but the urinedoes not drain properly because of an obstruction. Pressure in the urinary tract rises, resulting in hydronephrosis (distention ofthe kidney pelvis and calyces) and bilateral obstructive uropathy (damage to both kidneys caused by obstruction of urine).Obstructive uropathy can eventually lead to hypertension and/or acute renal failure . Sudden blockage causes acute bilateralobstructive uropathy, while slow progressive blockage causes chronic bilateral obstructive uropathy .Acute bilateral obstructive uropathy is caused by obstruction of the urethra that occurs suddenly or over a short time. In men, itis most often a result of an enlarged prostate. It is much less common in women but can occur as a result of bladder cystocele .Other causes include bladder tumors, tumors of the prostate, and tumors or other structures around thebladder neck or urethra, especially if the tumors grow quickly and by strictures in any part of the genito-urinary tract. A historyof kidney stones or bladder stones increases the risk of acute bilateral obstructive uropathy.Initially, the bladder reacts to the obstruction through increased irritability. There is a stronger and more frequent urge tourinate, and bladder spasms or incontinence may occur. As urine accumulates, it may lead to stasis of urine and urinary tractinfections (see UTI - acute) . Urine may back up into the ureters and kidney. Symptoms develop because of urinary retentionand/or damage to the bladder, ureters, and kidneys from backup (reflux) of urine.Acute bilateral obstructive uropathy occurs in about 5 out of 10,000 people.

This disorder may not be preventable in many cases. Routine rectal examination for men may reveal an enlarged prostate beforeit becomes large enough to obstruct the urethra.