Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Urinary Tract Calculi VI: Surgical Management

Urinary Tract Calculi VI: Surgical Management

Procedures for Kidney StonesMedical intervention is necessary when kidney stones or renal calculi are too large to pass spontaneously (typically greater than 5 millimeters) when stones are accompanied by symptomatic infection (such as fever or pyelonephritis), when they impair kidney function, or when they cause persistent symptoms like severe pain, nausea, or urinary retention. Additionally, patients with only one kidney or those who cannot be treated with medical management also require...

Anatomy of the Genitourinary System I: Kidneys and Ureters

Anatomy of the Genitourinary System I: Kidneys and Ureters

The upper urinary system comprises two kidneys and two ureters, which are crucial in filtering blood and forming urine.KidneysLocation and Structure:The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs positioned behind the peritoneum on either side of the spine.Kidneys are between the 12th thoracic (T12) and the 3rd lumbar (L3) vertebrae.The position of the liver causes the right kidney to sit slightly lower than the left.Protective Layers:Each kidney is enveloped in a tough, fibrous membrane called the...

Ureters

Ureters

The ureters are retroperitoneal tubes located on either side of the vertebral column. They are responsible for transporting urine from each kidney to the urinary bladder. These tubes have thick walls and are approximately 25-30 cm long. Their diameter is around 10 mm at the renal pelvis, gradually narrowing to 1 mm as the ureter obliquely enters the posterior bladder wall through the ureteric orifices. The shape of these orifices is slit-like, which helps to prevent urine backflow toward the...

Urinary Tract Calculi II: Pathophysiology and Clinical Manifestations

Urinary Tract Calculi II: Pathophysiology and Clinical Manifestations

Renal calculi, commonly termed kidney stones, are crystalline solid masses that form in the kidneys but can occur at any point within the urinary system, encompassing the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra.The pathophysiology of renal stones involves several key factors: supersaturation of the urine with stone-forming constituents, changes in urine pH, a decrease in urine volume, and the presence of substances that promote or inhibit stone formation.Supersaturation of Urine: This is the...

Kidney Transplant II: Surgical Procedure

Kidney Transplant II: Surgical Procedure

Preoperative ManagementThe primary goals of preoperative management in kidney transplantation are to optimize the patient’s metabolic state and prepare them for surgery through diet adjustments, necessary dialysis, and tailored medical treatment. This phase also involves comprehensive infection screening and patient education about the surgical procedure and postoperative care to improve outcomes and adherence.Medical ManagementA comprehensive evaluation is required for both the living...

Imaging Studies V: Intravenous Urography and Retrograde Pyelography

Imaging Studies V: Intravenous Urography and Retrograde Pyelography

IntroductionIntravenous Urography (IVU) and Retrograde Pyelography (RP) are important diagnostic imaging techniques used to evaluate the urinary system. These methods help identify structural abnormalities, obstructions, and functional issues in the kidneys, ureters, and bladder. Both procedures use iodine-based contrast media to enhance the visibility of urinary tract structures on X-ray images, though they differ in their methods and indications.1. Intravenous Urography (IVU)Intravenous...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

A sleep/wake circuit controls isoflurane sensitivity in Drosophila.

Current biology : CB·2013

Same author

Study of the impact of uterine artery embolization (UAE) on endometrial microvessel density (MVD) and angiogenesis.

Cardiovascular and interventional radiology·2013

Same author

Comparative proteomic analysis reveals differentially expressed proteins correlated with fuzz fiber initiation in diploid cotton (Gossypium arboreum L.).

Journal of proteomics·2013

Same author

Sodium intake from various time frames and incident hypertension among Chinese adults.

Epidemiology (Cambridge, Mass.)·2013

Same author

Spatial multi-scale variability of soil nutrients in relation to environmental factors in a typical agricultural region, eastern China.

The Science of the total environment·2013

Same author

Cleavage of metal-ion-induced DNAzymes released from nanolabels for highly sensitive and specific immunoassay.

Bioconjugate chemistry·2013

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 15, 2025

Technical Modification of the Terminal Ureter During Total Transperitoneal Laparoscopic Nephroureterectomy for Upper Urinary Tract Urothelial Carcinoma

Technical Modification of the Terminal Ureter During Total Transperitoneal Laparoscopic Nephroureterectomy for Upper Urinary Tract Urothelial Carcinoma

Published on: November 22, 2019

Giant hydronephrosis complicated by multiple uroepithelial carcinomas.

Zhen Song¹, Zhiyu Zhang¹, Zhang Chen¹

¹Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215000, China.

Urology Case Reports

|October 29, 2021

Summary

Giant hydronephrosis, a rare condition, can mask aggressive urothelial carcinoma. This case highlights the importance of thorough pathological examination for accurate diagnosis, even with negative initial tests.

Keywords:

Giant hydronephrosis Uroepithelial carcinoma

More Related Videos

Author Spotlight: Developing a Bedside Protocol for Kidney and Genitourinary Ultrasonography

Author Spotlight: Developing a Bedside Protocol for Kidney and Genitourinary Ultrasonography

Published on: June 21, 2024

Assessing Urinary Tract Junction Obstruction Defects by Methylene Blue Dye Injection

Assessing Urinary Tract Junction Obstruction Defects by Methylene Blue Dye Injection

Published on: October 12, 2017

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Oct 15, 2025

Technical Modification of the Terminal Ureter During Total Transperitoneal Laparoscopic Nephroureterectomy for Upper Urinary Tract Urothelial Carcinoma

Technical Modification of the Terminal Ureter During Total Transperitoneal Laparoscopic Nephroureterectomy for Upper Urinary Tract Urothelial Carcinoma

Published on: November 22, 2019

Author Spotlight: Developing a Bedside Protocol for Kidney and Genitourinary Ultrasonography

Author Spotlight: Developing a Bedside Protocol for Kidney and Genitourinary Ultrasonography

Published on: June 21, 2024

Assessing Urinary Tract Junction Obstruction Defects by Methylene Blue Dye Injection

Assessing Urinary Tract Junction Obstruction Defects by Methylene Blue Dye Injection

Published on: October 12, 2017

Area of Science:

Urology
Oncology
Pathology

Background:

Giant hydronephrosis is a rare condition characterized by significant renal pelvis dilation.
Malignant hydronephrosis, especially of unknown origin, presents diagnostic challenges.
Early detection of renal pelvic cancers is crucial for patient outcomes.

Observation:

A 43-year-old male presented with giant hydronephrosis.
Initial investigations, including imaging and cytology, did not reveal renal pelvic cancer.
The patient underwent a nephrectomy due to the unexplained hydronephrosis.

Findings:

Pathological examination of the nephrectomy specimen confirmed multifocal high-grade papillary urothelial carcinoma of the renal pelvis.
The malignancy was not detected by preoperative imaging or exfoliated cell analysis.
This indicates a potential for occult malignancy in cases of unexplained giant hydronephrosis.

Implications:

This case underscores the necessity of comprehensive histopathological evaluation in diagnosing rare urological malignancies.
It highlights the limitations of non-invasive diagnostic methods for certain renal pelvic cancers.
Further research may be warranted to improve diagnostic strategies for hydronephrosis of unclear etiology.