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Updated: Dec 4, 2025

Author Spotlight: Developing a Bedside Protocol for Kidney and Genitourinary Ultrasonography
Published on: June 21, 2024
Previously unseen 80L giant hydronephrosis
Rafael Nascimento Vilares1, Vinicius Menezes Jesus1, Thalita Bento Talizin2
1Divisão de Urologia, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
A patient presented with extreme abdominal swelling due to a giant hydronephrotic kidney, requiring 80L of urine drainage. Surgical removal (nephrectomy) led to a full recovery, marking the largest reported case of hydronephrosis.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Urology
- Surgical Case Reports
Background:
- Describes a rare case of massive abdominal distension.
- Highlights diagnostic challenges in patients with immobility.
Observation:
- Patient presented with immense abdominal volume, leading to immobility.
- Imaging revealed a giant hydronephrotic kidney as the cause.
Findings:
- Successfully drained 80 liters of urine from the affected kidney.
- Performed an uneventful nephrectomy (kidney removal).
- Documented the largest hydronephrosis case in medical literature.
Implications:
- Demonstrates successful management of extreme hydronephrosis.
- Highlights the potential for complete recovery after massive kidney volume reduction.
- Contributes to understanding rare urological emergencies.
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