This Publication Is Searchable The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy Section 17. Genitourinary Disorders Chapter 217.
Obstructive uropathy is common at all ages.
About 2 people per 1000 in the USA are hospitalized for obstructive uropathy. Etiology and Pathophysiology Obstructive uropathy may be acute or chronic, partial or complete, and unilateral or bilateral. In the male, obstruction of the urethra may result from benign prostatic hyperplasia, prostate cancer, chronic prostatitis with fibrosis, a foreign body, contracture of the vesical neck, or congenital urethral valves. Urethral strictures and meatal stenosis may be acquired or congenital. Pathologic findings consist of dilation of the collecting ducts and distal tubules and chronic tubular atrophy with little glomerular damage.