UPJ ObstructionSymptoms, Doctors, Treatments, Advances & More
Learn About UPJ Obstruction
Ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction is a blockage at the point where part of the kidney attaches to one of the tubes to the bladder (ureters). This blocks the flow of urine out of the kidney.
Ureteropelvic junction obstruction; UP junction obstruction; Obstruction of the ureteropelvic junction
UPJ obstruction mostly occurs in children. It often happens when a baby is still growing in the womb. This is called a congenital condition (present from birth).
The blockage is caused when there is:
- A narrowing of area between the ureter and the part of the kidney called the renal pelvis
- An abnormal blood vessel crossing over the ureter
As a result, urine builds up and damages the kidney.
In older children and adults, the problem may be due to scar tissue, infection, earlier treatments for a blockage, or kidney stones.
UPJ obstruction is the most common cause of urinary blockages in children. It is now commonly found before birth with ultrasound tests. In some cases, the condition may not show up until after birth. Surgery may be needed early in life if the problem is severe. Most of the time, surgery is not needed until later. Some cases do not require surgery at all.
There may not be any symptoms. When symptoms occur, they may include:
- Back or flank pain especially when consuming diuretics such as alcohol or caffeine
- Bloody urine (hematuria)
- Lump in the abdomen (abdominal mass)
- Kidney infection
- Poor growth in infants (faltering weight)
- Urinary tract infection, usually with fever
- Vomiting
Surgery to correct the blockage allows urine to flow normally. Most of the time, open (invasive) surgery is performed in infants. Adults may be treated with less-invasive procedures. These procedures involve much smaller surgical cuts than open surgery, and may include:
- Endoscopic (retrograde) technique which does not require a surgical cut on the skin. Instead, a small instrument is placed into the urethra and bladder and into the affected ureter. This allows the surgeon to open the blockage from the inside.
- Percutaneous (antegrade) technique involves a small surgical cut on the side of the body between the ribs and the hip.
- Pyeloplasty removes scar tissue from the blocked area and reconnects the healthy part of the kidney to the healthy ureter.
Laparoscopy has also been used to treat UPJ obstruction in children and adults who have not had success with other procedures.
A tube called a stent may be placed to drain urine from the kidney until the surgery heals. A nephrostomy tube, which is placed in the side of the body to drain urine, may also be needed for a short time after the surgery. This type of tube may also be used to treat a bad infection before surgery.
Northwell Health Physician Partners Surgical Urology At Phelps, 755 North Broadway
Michael Grasso is a Urologist practicing medicine in Sleepy Hollow, New York. Dr. Grasso is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of UPJ Obstruction. He is also highly rated in 43 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses UPJ Obstruction, Boils, Retroperitoneal Fibrosis, Ureteroscopy, and Reconstructive Urology Surgery.
Holston Medical Group- The Urology Clinic
David Beaird is a Urologist practicing medicine in Johnson City, Tennessee. Dr. Beaird is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of UPJ Obstruction. He is also highly rated in 33 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses UPJ Obstruction, Urinary Tract Infection in Children, Perirenal Abscess, Ureteroscopy, and Reconstructive Urology Surgery. Dr. Beaird is board certified in American Board Of Urology.
Holston Medical Group- The Urology Clinic
Wayne Tongco is a Urologist practicing medicine in Johnson City, Tennessee. Dr. Tongco is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of UPJ Obstruction. He is also highly rated in 36 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Renal Oncocytoma, UPJ Obstruction, Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer, Ureteroscopy, and Reconstructive Urology Surgery. Dr. Tongco is board certified in American Board Of Urology.
Detecting and treating the problem early can help prevent future kidney damage. UPJ obstruction diagnosed before birth or early after birth may actually improve on its own.
Most children do well and have no long-term problems. Serious damage may occur in people who are diagnosed later in life.
Long-term outcomes are good with current treatments. Pyeloplasty has the best long-term success.
If untreated, UPJ obstruction can lead to permanent loss of kidney function (kidney failure).
Kidney stones or infection may occur in the affected kidney, even after treatment.
Contact the health care provider if your infant has:
- Bloody urine
- Fever
- A lump in the abdomen
- Indications of back pain or pain in the flanks (the area toward the sides of the body between the ribs and the pelvis)
Summary: Ureteropelvic junction obstruction is an important cause of hydronephrosis and potentially reversible renal functional impairment in children. Although open pyeloplasty is an effective standard treatment, the degree of postoperative renal functional recovery varies between patients. This prospective observational cohort study will evaluate whether renal cortical shear wave elastography can predict...
Summary: This clinical study aims to non-invasively visualize perfusion and microvascularization, as well as individual glomeruli, using Ultrasound Localization Microscopy (ULM) and CEUS in patients with congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT).
Published Date: April 01, 2025
Published By: Kelly L. Stratton, MD, FACS, Associate Professor, Department of Urology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. Editorial update 04/14/2026.
Chaudhry R, Cannon GM. Urologic disorders. In: Zitelli BJ, McIntire SC, Nowalk AJ, Garrison J, eds. Zitelli and Davis' Atlas of Pediatric Physical Diagnosis. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 15.
Di Carlo HN, Crigger CB. Obstruction of the urinary tract. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, et al, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 577.
Frøkiaer J. Urinary tract obstruction. In: Yu ASL, Chertow GM, Luyckx VA, Marsden PA, Skorecki K, Taal MW, eds. Brenner and Rector's The Kidney. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 37.
Nakada SY, Best SL. Management of upper urinary tract obstruction. In: Partin AW, Dmochowski RR, Kavoussi LR, Peters CA, eds. Campbell-Walsh-Wein Urology. 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 89.