OBJECTIVE: To describe the sonographic appearance of ureteric obstruction due to necrosed papillae. METHODS: In this study, carried out over 3 years 6 months, patients with diabetes mellitus who had renal colic were studied by sonography. RESULTS: In 15 patients with hydronephrosis, there was a soft tissue mass of necrosed papillae filling the ureteric lumen at the site of obstruction. Necrosed papillae were seen in medullary cavities of the ipsilateral kidney in 5 patients. Ureteroscopic removal of necrosed papillae was done in 13 patients. One patient was not fit for an invasive procedure. CONCLUSIONS: When patients predisposed to renal papillary necrosis have renal colic, and sonography fails to show a ureteric calculus, it is best to look for necrosed papillae in the ureter, which may be causing obstruction.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Vijayaraghavan et al. (2003) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 5 related papers. Consider them for comparative context: