Injury - kidney and ureter Health Article

Definition

Injury to the kidney and ureter is damage to these organs of the upper urinary tract.

Alternative Names

Kidney damage; Toxic injury of the kidney; Kidney injury; Traumatic injury of the kidney; Fractured kidney; Inflammatory injury of the kidney; Bruised kidney; Ureteral injury

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

The kidneys are located in the flank (back of the upper abdomen at either side of the spinal column). They are deep in the abdomen and are protected by the spine, lower rib cage, and strong muscles of the back. This location protects the kidneys from many outside forces.

The kidneys are well-padded for a reason -- they have a large blood supply. Injury can lead to severe bleeding.

Kidneys may be injured by damage to the blood vessels that supply or drain them, including:

• Aneurysm
• Arterial blockage
• Arteriovenous fistula
• Renal vein thrombosis (clotting)

Kidney injuries may also be caused by:

• A non-cancerous tumor (angiomyolipoma)
• Autoimmune disorders
• Excess build-up of body waste products, such as uric acid (which can occur with gout or treatment of bone marrow, lymph node, or other disorders)
• Exposure to toxic substances, such as lead, cleaning products, solvents, fuels, or long-term use of high-dose pain medications (analgesic nephropathy)
• Swelling and irritation (inflammation) caused by immune responses to medications, infection, or other disorders
• Medical procedures such as kidney biopsy, or nephrostomy tube placement
• Ureteropelvic junction obstruction

The ureters are the tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder. Uretral injuries may be caused by:

• Complications from medical procedures
• Diseases such as retroperitoneal fibrosis, retroperitoneal sarcomas, or cancers that spread to the lymph nodes
• Radiation or chemotherapy
• Trauma