Result of renal pelvic wahing

Hello,
My name is Carrie and I am a 47 year old woman.
I was diagnosed a few months ago with right-sided UPJ obstruction.  Hydronephrosis was an incidental finding on an MRI of my back (for sciatica).  The obstruction has been verified by CT and renal scans as well.  This explained the symptom of "flank" pain that I had been experiencing.  No tests or scans have indicated cancer.
A ureteral stent was in place for one week to drain my kidney.  A cystoscopy and renal washing were also done.  My kidney was about 4 times its normal size, no lesions were found in my bladder or ureters.  There have been no kidney stones found.  The results of the renal wash were forwarded to Johns Hopkins Reference Laboratories for an expert opinion. They were:

1) Atypical urothelial cells of uncertain significance.
2) Cytologic characteristics include degenerative changes, polyoma (BK) viral cytopathic effect, red blood cells, and reactive changes.

I will be seeing another urologist next week about the UPJ obstruction.  I have a copy of the cytology report from my current urologist's office, but am still awaiting a call from him.  What kind of questions should I be asking them regarding the atypical cells?  As far as I can determine from extensive online research, is that these results are basically negative.  Is further testing warranted to determine whether or not the findings are "significant"?  If you require any further details, please let me know.  Any light that you can shed on this would be greatly appreciated.
Carrie

[Stephen Liroff, MD]

These findings are basically non-specific except for the mention of BK viral changes. BK virus has been associated with ureteral strictures in transplant patients and I would get a urine culture for this virus to learn if you have an active infection. I do not see the need for any further concerns on the basis of this study.
As regards the UPJ obstruction, you would want to know how much function this kidney has. If it is less than 15% now that it is drained with the stent, it may not be worth saving this kidney. The study to help determine this is a MAG3 renogram performed with a catheter in your bladder.
Have your back pains been relieved? Just because your kidney was obstructed does not guarantee that this was the cause of your pain.
S.A.Liroff, M.D.