Kidney/Ureters
Kidney & Ureters
Most people have two kidneys that function to filter out waste products from the blood to produce urine. This urine is then carried down to the bladder by tubes called the ureters. Common conditions to affect the kidney and ureter include infection, cancer, drainage abnormalities and stones.
Symptoms
Pain is a common symptom caused by infection and stones, and occasionally drainage problems that can affect the kidney and ureter. Bleeding (haematuria – blood in the urine) is a potentially concerning symptom for an underlying kidney or ureteric tumour.
Investigation
Kidney and ureteric conditions often require radiological imaging tests. These commonly include an ultrasound scan or CT scan. Sometimes we request an MRI scan or a nuclear medicine scan. We will often request up-to-date blood or urine tests as part of your assessment.
Treatments
Depending upon the underlying cause of your symptoms you may not require any treatment but most stones or kidney drainage problems will often require some form of intervention.
