Urologic assessment of decreasing renal function

The discussion of renal failure as it relates to urology is largely a discussion of obstructive uropathy. Obstructive uropathy has been identified in multiple series to account for approximately 10% of all cases of renal failure. On a total population scale, autopsy series have shown the prevalence of hydronephrosis in 3% of men and women who are younger than 65 years and 6% of men older than 65 years. When benign prostatic hypertrophy and renal stone disease are considered, obstructive uropathy is also one of the most common indications for surgery. In this review, the different causes of obstructive renal insufficiency and management options available are discussed.