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Urology (Expert Forum)
congenital kidney abnormality
Questions in the Urology forum are answered by Dr. Stephen Liroff, affiliated with the Henry Ford Hospital. Topics covered include benign prostate disease, penis curvature, cystisis, kidney stones, pediatric urology, prostate, sexual dysfunction, urinary tract infections (UTI), and urological cancers.
congenital kidney abnormality
by Guy__0, Oct 29, 1998 12:00AM
I am a 26 year old male who has been having difficulty urinating and dull aching pain in upper back and sides. My doctor did and IVP and VCUG , a CT scan of my kidneys . These tests , according to the radiologist, showed multiple calcifications and chronic Pyelonephritis. however another doctor says there are no calcifications and he believes i was born with kidney abnormality. My question i suppose is simply, how common is it for a child to be born with his/her kidneys looking "notched" as the doctor said like someone with chronic pyleonephritis? I have never had a UTI in my life, not as a child or an adult, or at least have never been treated for one. any info on this would be appreciated.
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Dear Guy,
The kidneys in newborns appear somewhat lobulated, which is referred to as fetal lobulations. This finding usually disappears with time, and the kidney surface becomes more uniform and smooth, and acquires a reniform (kidney like) appearance. However, in the process of growing up, it is possible that one may develop kidney infections that went undiagnosed for whatever reason ( either because the child’s urinary tract infection was dismissed as a cold or ear infection, or the symptoms were very silent, or the child is too young to verbalize any specific complaints, etc). Such infection in the kidney (pyelonephritis) may lead to scarring of the kidney(s), and possible loss of overall renal function necessitating dialysis.
I have not seen your radiographical studies, and therefore can not comment on whether you have a stone, or have signs of renal scarring. However, it is possible that you may have had undiagnosed episodes of pyelonephritis which may have led to renal scarring, and you may or may not have associated stones. In any case, your current symptoms of difficulty urinating and flank pain deserve workup by a urologist, to may sure there is no sign of hydronephrosis (back up or obstruction of the urinary tract), and to address any possible stones which may be attributing to your pain.
Wish you the best.
This information is provided for general medical education purposes only. Please consult your physician for diagnostic and treatment options pertaining to your specific medical condition. More individualized care is available at the Henry Ford Hospital and its satellites (1 800 653 6568).
Sincerely,
HFHS M.D.-JJ
*Keyword: pyelonephritis, renal scarring
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Dear Guy,
The kidneys in newborns appear somewhat lobulated, which is referred to as fetal lobulations. This finding usually disappears with time, and the kidney surface becomes more uniform and smooth, and acquires a reniform (kidney like) appearance. However, in the process of growing up, it is possible that one may develop kidney infections that went undiagnosed for whatever reason ( either because the child’s urinary tract infection was dismissed as a cold or ear infection, or the symptoms were very silent, or the child is too young to verbalize any specific complaints, etc). Such infection in the kidney (pyelonephritis) may lead to scarring of the kidney(s), and possible loss of overall renal function necessitating dialysis.
I have not seen your radiographical studies, and therefore can not comment on whether you have a stone, or have signs of renal scarring. However, it is possible that you may have had undiagnosed episodes of pyelonephritis which may have led to renal scarring, and you may or may not have associated stones. In any case, your current symptoms of difficulty urinating and flank pain deserve workup by a urologist, to may sure there is no sign of hydronephrosis (back up or obstruction of the urinary tract), and to address any possible stones which may be attributing to your pain.
Wish you the best.
This information is provided for general medical education purposes only. Please consult your physician for diagnostic and treatment options pertaining to your specific medical condition. More individualized care is available at the Henry Ford Hospital and its satellites (1 800 653 6568).
Sincerely,
HFHS M.D.-JJ
*Keyword: pyelonephritis, renal scarring
