Patient's question:
My husband had lower abdominal pain on Wednesday. Gradually, it became only left lower abdominal pain. After seeing a doctor and having an ultrasound, they said it was left kidney hydronephrosis. The doctor mentioned it could be due to a kidney stone but couldn't confirm. So, he was told to come back for an X-ray tomorrow and was given 15 grams of marshmallow root to drink as tea. The doctor said he needed to clear his bowels before the X-ray and should fast in the morning tomorrow.Is left kidney hydronephrosis and kidney stones serious? Can it be treated with medication? Does the ultrasound suggest that the kidney hydronephrosis is caused by kidney stones? Are there other possible conditions? Thank you.
Doctor's answer:
According to the pain location, hydronephrosis of the left kidney is diagnosed as left ureteral calculus combined with left hydronephrosis. Suggestions: Ureteral obstruction can cause hydronephrosis. Young people are more likely to have stones. The middle and lower segments of the ureter are difficult to see clearly on ultrasound due to the presence of intestinal structures. After bowel preparation, X-rays can usually reveal stones, and a few cases may require contrast. Small urinary stones generally cause pain when treated with injections and stone-expelling medications, which can usually resolve the issue. Large stones may be treated with lithotripsy first, followed by medication. It is generally not serious. Drink more water regularly. Regularly follow up with ultrasound examinations, and seek treatment promptly if there is any accumulation.