Predictive factors of progression of chronic renal insufficiency: a multivariate analysis

The purpose of this study was to identify clinical, nutritional, and laboratory factors associated with the rate of progression of chronic renal insufficiency among children and adolescents admitted to a pre-end-stage renal failure (ESRF) interdisciplinary program. Sixty-two children and adolescents aged 2 months to 19 years with chronic renal failure on conservative management were prospectively followed from 1990 to 1999. The following variables were analyzed: age at admission, sex, race, blood pressure, primary renal disease, Z scores for weight and height, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), urea, and presence and degree of proteinuria. Progression to ESRF was assigned as a dependent variable. The analysis was conducted in two steps. In a univariate analysis, variables associated with ESRF outcome were identified by the log-rank test. Then, the variables that were significantly associated with adverse outcome were included in a multivariate analysis. This analysis, using the Cox proportional hazards model, was performed to identify variables that were independently associated with a worse prognosis. Only variables that remained independently associated with adverse outcome were included in the final model. Twenty-one (34%) patients evolved to ESRF during a median follow-up of 43 months. Two variables were identified as independent predictors of progression to ESRF: GFR under 30 ml/min (RR=3, 95% CI=1.7-5.3, P=0.0001) and severe proteinuria (RR=3.1, 95% CI=1.2-7.6, P=0.01). The combination of two factors-GFR lower than 30 ml/min and presence of severe proteinuria on admission-was an independent indicator of adverse outcome in children and adolescents with chronic renal insufficiency who were conservatively managed.     

Survival in second trimester oligohydramnios secondary to bilateral pelviureteral junction obstruction

The extent and onset of obstruction in hydronephrosis determine the varying degrees of renal impairment. Bilateral hydronephrosis, especially in combination with oligohydramnios, is considered a negative predictor for pregnancy outcome. We describe a case of bilateral pelviureteral junction obstruction causing severe oligohydramnios between 25 and 29 weeks of gestation. The prenatal and postnatal findings and treatment are demonstrated. In the presence of bilateral renal impairment and oligohydramnios, our patient had an unfavorable prognosis. The respiratory and renal function, however, were better than expected. We show how urinary tract reconstruction and neonatal intensive therapy can result in an acceptable outcome.     

Fetoscopic placement of a transurethral stent for intrauterine obstructive uropathy

PURPOSE: Fetal urinary obstructive uropathy and consecutive oligohydramnios result in a poor outcome. Usually renal insufficiency and life threatening lung hypoplasia have developed at term. We report a case of in utero fetal cystoscopy and successful placement of a transurethral vesico-amniotic Double-J (Medical Engineering Corp., New York, New York) stent. Indications, results and the potential benefits of different techniques are discussed. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A 36-year-old woman (primipara) was evaluated at week 26 due to a male fetus with bilateral hydronephrosis, massive distended bladder and an open posterior urethra. Using local anesthesia the fetal bladder was punctured, a 2.6 mm endoscope was inserted and a wire was advanced antegrade through the penis. A 2.8Fr Double-J stent was then placed between the bladder and amniotic cavity. RESULTS: The bladder drained into the amnion, hydronephrosis disappeared and the lung developed normally. At week 37 a healthy infant was delivered who voided spontaneously. CONCLUSIONS: After careful selection of candidates for fetal intervention in obstructive uropathy direct vision fetoscopy and transurethral stent placement can be performed in patients with oligohydramnios, favorable urinary electrolytes and normal appearing kidneys.     

The natural history of prenatal hydronephrosis with normal amounts of amniotic fluid

Thirteen cases of fetal hydronephrosis associated initially with normal volumes of amniotic fluid were diagnosed by maternal sonography. No invasive procedures were done in utero. Postnatal evaluation demonstrated 8 neonates with urinary tract obstruction and 5 normal neonates. Long-term followup of these 13 patients revealed that 12 are healthy and have normal renal function. The exception is a child whose amniotic fluid decreased during pregnancy. Our data suggest that fetuses with normal volumes of amniotic fluid do well. Treatment should be limited to frequent prenatal sonography and subsequent early postnatal evaluation. Caution should be exercised with the diagnosis of hydronephrosis, since 5 of our patients had false positive findings. In the rare instances when oligohydramnios develops during pregnancy fetal intervention may be warranted.     

Prenatal Intervention for Hydronephrosis

Purpose

The widespread use of prenatal ultrasound results in an increased recognition of fetal hydronephrosis and technological advances now make fetal intervention possible. However, efficacy is unknown, and there have been errors in diagnosis, and associated morbidity and mortality. This review focuses on the current status of prenatal diagnosis and management of hydronephrosis.

Materials and Methods

The relevant literature on prenatal physiology, prenatal diagnosis, experimental obstruction and clinical series of prenatal intervention was reviewed.

Results

Prenatal ultrasound is a poor discriminator of physiological hydronephrosis, obstruction, renal dysplasia and reflux. Persistent early onset oligohydramnios is the best predictor of poor neonatal outcome. New minimally invasive techniques may aid diagnostically but they may not improve outcome. Dysplasia is often present by the time hydronephrosis is detected and it is not reversible in experimental models. Prenatal intervention is technically feasible but the survival rate is only 47%, and catheter placement and open fetal surgery have significant fetal and maternal risks. Complications occur in up to 45% of fetuses.

Conclusions

Prenatal intervention for hydronephrosis remains an experimental technique. The most important question is whether prenatal therapy for obstructive uropathy improves survival and decreases long-term morbidity and mortality in affected fetuses.     

Fetal hydronephrosis: selection and surgical repair

Newly developed diagnostic techniques allowed us to select a fetus with potentially reversible renal damage from the usually fatal group with bilateral hydronephrosis and severe oligohydramnios early in gestation. Fetal surgery to marsupialize the fetal bladder at 24 weeks gestation restored normal amniotic fluid dynamics and allowed sufficient pulmonary and renal development to insure survival after delivery near term.     

Ureteropelvic junction obstruction in the fetus

Ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction is being detected with increasing frequency before birth. To clarify the natural history of fetal UPJ obstruction, we reviewed our experience managing 28 fetuses; there were 16 bilateral cases for a total of 44 renal units. None required decompression before birth. We found that fetal bilateral UPJ obstruction is associated with significant morbidity and mortality; resolution of fetal hydronephrosis secondary to UPJ obstruction is rare; antenatal diagnosis of UPJ obstruction improves clinical management by allowing early detection and appropriate treatment of otherwise clinically undetectable disease; oligohydramnios in the mature fetus with bilateral UPJ obstruction is an indication for early delivery and immediate repair; and prenatally diagnosed UPJ obstructions should be repaired as early as possible after birth.     

Predictive factors for adverse pregnancy outcomes after renal transplantation

Several predictive factors associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes in female renal recipients have been suggested. Our study aimed to determine the most important factor for prediction of adverse pregnancy outcomes in female renal recipients. We studied 41 pregnancies in 29 female renal recipients retrospectively. We reviewed pregnancy outcomes and possible predictive factors including pre‐pregnancy serum creatinine (SCr), pre‐pregnancy glomerular filtration rate (GFR), pre‐pregnancy hypertension, pre‐pregnancy proteinuria, transplantation‐pregnancy interval and type of immunosuppressants. We defined an adverse pregnancy‐related outcomes index (APOI) that included the following conditions: (i) preeclampsia; (ii) fetal growth restriction (FGR); (iii) prematurity before 34 wk of gestation; (iv) fetal loss (v) graft dysfunction during pregnancy or within three months from delivery. The cutoff of pre‐pregnancy serum creatinine and GFR was determined by receiver operating characteristics curves for the prediction of each adverse outcome and APOI. Only pre‐pregnancy serum creatinine was associated with adverse pregnancy outcome, and 1 mg/dL was determined to be a useful cutoff for the prediction of each adverse outcomes. Pre‐pregnancy SCr ≥ 1 mg/dL was associated with 7.7 times increased risk of preeclampsia and 6.9 times increased risk of APOI. Pre‐pregnancy serum creatinine is the most powerful predictive factor for adverse pregnancy outcomes, and <1 mg/dL may be used as a screen for successful pregnancy outcome.     

Risk factor analysis of irreversible renal dysfunction based on fetal ultrasonographic findings in patients with persistent cloaca: Results from a nationwide survey in Japan

Aim of the studyWe conducted a nationwide survey of persistent cloaca (PC) to determine its current status in Japan. We focused on the relationship between fetal ultrasonographic findings and irreversible renal dysfunction in PC.MethodPatient information was obtained via questionnaire, and 466 PC patients were ultimately enrolled in this study. Fifteen patients (3.2%) who required dialysis or kidney transplantation were compared to those who were able to survive with their native kidney. Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed using a logistic regression analysis to clarify the relationship between irreversible renal dysfunction and fetal ultrasonographic findings.ResultsA multivariable logistic analysis showed that fetal ultrasonic findings of oligohydramnios independently increased the risk of irreversible renal dysfunction (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 5.8, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.7–20, p = 0.005). A regression analysis showed that fetal ultrasonographic findings of hydroureteronephrosis (crude OR 5.6, 95% CI 0.9–24, p = 0.03) tended to be associated with irreversible renal dysfunction. In the PC patients with oligohydramnios, however, the ultrasonographic findings and associated anomalies did not affect the renal prognosis. The 15 renal dysfunction patients were treated as follows: hemodialysis (n = 4), peritoneal dialysis (n = 3), living donor renal transplantation (n = 8), and cadaveric renal transplantation (n = 1).ConclusionFetal ultrasonographic findings of oligohydramnios increase the risk of irreversible renal dysfunction. Such findings suggest we consider the need for earlier therapeutic intervention, such as fetal and postnatal treatment, to prevent the progression of renal dysfunction.Level of evidenceIII (Study of diagnostic test, study of nonconsecutive patients and/or without a universally applied “gold” standard).     

Early experience with open fetal surgery for congenital hydronephrosis

The fetus with severe bilateral hydronephrosis and associated oligohydramnios in the second trimester is doomed at birth by ongoing pulmonary and renal damage. Since decompression with percutaneously placed catheters anesthetic, surgical, and tocolytic techniques for open fetal anesthetic, surgical, and tocolytic techniques for open fetal urinary tract decompression in animals, and have now applied those techniques to a small group of five patients. One had bilateral ureterostomies and the subsequent four had marsupialization of the bladder. All pregnancies proceeded to cesarean delivery at 32 to 35 weeks' gestation. There was no long-term maternal morbidity, and two mothers have since experienced normal pregnancies. Three fetuses had return of normal amniotic fluid dynamics, and all three had adequate pulmonary function at birth, suggesting that fatal pulmonary hypoplasia associated with early severe oligohydramnios had been reversed. Two neonates died at birth with pulmonary hypoplasia. One had no amniotic fluid even after decompression, and the other had some amniotic fluid after decompression but a tiny chest cavity due to the long period of severe oligohydramnios before decompression. Of the three surviving infants, one had normal renal function when she died of unrelated causes at 9 months of age. One has normal renal function at 23 months and the third had failing renal function at 2 1/2 years and has grown and developed normally, but will require renal transplantation. We have now developed selection criteria that would exclude from treatment the two fetuses who died of pulmonary hypoplasia and the one who developed renal failure.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Outcome analysis of vesicoamniotic shunting in a comprehensive population

PURPOSE: Prenatal detection of obstructive uropathy is used widely and vesicoamniotic shunting is the accepted procedure in well-defined cases. We present outcomes of vesicoamniotic shunting in a consecutive series from a coordinated prenatal-postnatal treatment program. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 1989 to 1998 bladder obstruction was identified in 89 fetuses at a multidisciplinary prenatal high risk clinic. Prenatal intervention was considered in cases of bilateral hydronephrosis associated with evidence of bladder outlet obstruction and oligohydramnios. RESULTS: Indications for prenatal shunting were present in 12 patients (13%), and 9 underwent vesicoamniotic shunt insertion between weeks 20 and 28 of gestation. None of the prenatal procedures was associated with preterm labor, chorioamnionitis or urine chemistry values greater than cutoff threshold on bladder tap. Shunts were extruded from 2 fetuses, which required sequential insertion. After prenatal intervention 1 patient elected pregnancy termination and the others proceeded to term. Two neonates died at birth, and 6 survived. The underlying urological diagnosis was posterior urethral valves in 4 newborns, urethral atresia in 1, and prune belly variant and urethral atresia in 1. Of the patients 3 had relatively normal renal function, 2 had severe renal insufficiency and 1 had mild renal impairment. Five newborns are voiding freely and 1 underwent bladder reconstruction and is on intermittent catheterization. None of the patients had pulmonary problems at last followup. CONCLUSIONS: Although vesicoamniotic shunting is effective in reversing oligohydramnios, its ability to achieve sustainable good renal function in infancy is variable. No specific prenatal parameters were effective in predicting eventual good renal function. Pulmonary function cannot be assured with restoration of amniotic fluid.     

Fetal surgery for obstructive uropathy: rational considerations

The widespread use of high resolution dynamic ultrasound imaging methods in obstetrics now permits recognition of structural and/or functional developmental anomalies of fetal genitourinary tract with some considerable accuracy. Detection of congenital obstructive uropathy in the human fetus may occur as early as 16 weeks gestation. In the fetal lamb model, experimental occlusion of the outflow tract results in progressive hydronephrosis, pulmonary hypoplasia, and oligohydramnios. The renal parenchymal changes vary with the fetal age at obstruction ranging from simple hydronephrosis with later obstruction to dysgenesis with earlier obstruction. The pulmonary damage, and to some extent the renal damage, may be halted or even reversed with release of obstruction. These advances in diagnosis and an understanding of the pathophysiology have prompted attempts at chronic in utero diversion therapy in the human fetus with obstructive uropathy yielding encouraging, but as of yet, unproven success. In this report, the methods for such therapy, the rationale for the therapy, and the results of the therapy is reviewed.     

Multivariate analysis of prognostic factors and effect of treatment in patients with IgA nephropathy

BACKGROUND: Although the clinical and histological prognostic factors of IgA nephropathy have been investigated in detail, the value of treatment in terms of renal outcome is not well understood. METHODS: The authors examined data from 237 patients with IgA nephropathy (age 31.4+/-13.5 years, mean+/-SD) who had been followed-up for at least six months (follow-up periods, 62.3+/-45.5 months). The authors initially tested the significance of prognostic factors (age, sex, systolic blood pressure, proteinuria, serum creatinine, and histological severity) and treatment strategies (steroid therapy, renin-angiotensin system inhibitors and tonsillectomy) on renal outcome with univariate analysis, then evaluated the findings using the Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS: Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that among the prognostic variables, a high level of serum creatinine at renal biopsy, large amounts of proteinuria, and extensive histological injury were significant risk factors for end-stage renal failure. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the renal survival rates associated with these factors were significantly poorer depending on their severity. Univariate analysis revealed that tonsillectomy was the only significant treatment that contributes to the maintenance of renal survival. Moreover, urinary abnormalities disappeared at a significantly higher frequency when patients were treated by tonsillectomy. The Cox proportional hazards model showed that steroid therapy independently contributed to improve renal prognosis in addition to tonsillectomy, and the hazard ratios were 0.26 (95% CI, 0.07 to 0.93) and 0.37 (95% CI, 0.14 to 0.99), respectively. CONCLUSION: Steroid therapy and tonsillectomy can independently improve renal outcome in patients with IgA nephropathy.     

Preoperative and intraoperative predictors of postoperative morbidity, poor graft function, and early rejection in 190 patients undergoing liver transplantation

HYPOTHESIS: Preoperative and intraoperative variables predict in part adverse outcome after liver transplantation. DESIGN: Prospective, blinded, cohort study. SETTING: Tertiary care hospital. SUBJECTS: A total of 190 adult patients undergoing primary liver transplantation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Adverse outcome was prospectively defined as either in-hospital death or prolonged postoperative hospitalization (>14 days) associated with morbidity. Potential preoperative and intraoperative risk factors were collected. Associations were tested by univariate analysis followed by multivariate analysis in which preoperative factors were entered before intraoperative factors. RESULTS: Adverse outcome occurred in 44.7% of patients. Incidences of other complications were as follows: in-hospital mortality (8.4%), primary graft nonfunction (4.2%), poor early graft function (1.1%), and early rejection (31.2%). Univariate predictors of adverse outcome were United Network for Organ Sharing status (P =.003), Child-Turcotte-Pugh score (P =.02), POSSUM physiological score (P =.002), recipient age (P =.01), preoperative serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level (P =.03), preoperative serum creatinine level (P =.002), preoperative serum total IgG level (P =.004), duration in hospital preoperatively (P =.03), operative duration (P<.001), allogeneic erythrocyte transfusions (P<.001), total intraoperative fluids (P =.002), and use of inotropic agents (P =.01). In the final multivariate model, predictors of adverse outcome were United Network for Organ Sharing status (P =.03), recipient age (P =.002), and total intraoperative fluids (P =.04). Most patients who died or had a prolonged hospitalization exhibited dysfunction of more than 1 organ system, including pulmonary, renal, and infectious complications. CONCLUSIONS: Adverse outcome occurs frequently after liver transplantation, usually involves multiple organ systems, and is predicted in part by several preoperative and intraoperative factors.     

Urological emergency in neonates with congenital hydronephrosis

OBJECTIVE: It is well described that unilateral pelviureteric junction obstruction (PUJO) is a benign condition, because the dilatation resolves spontaneously and the function does not decrease in most of the kidneys. However, there is exceptional PUJO that requires emergent treatment in neonatal periods. The aim of this article is to report the urological emergency and management in neonates with PUJO. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nine children (seven boys and two girls) with PUJO who underwent neonatal emergent treatment during the last 13 years were reviewed. Renal function was evaluated according to decay curve of serum creatinine (SCr) levels corresponding to gestational age (GA) at delivery. Physical examination, ultrasonographic monitoring, and chest and abdominal plain radiographs were repeated in each neonate. RESULTS: Eight patients were detected prenatally. In five patients, multicystic dysplastic kidney (MCDK) was demonstrated on the contralateral side. Three patients underwent percutaneous puncture of fetal hydronephrosis. Decrease of amniotic fluid was evident in three fetuses. Indications for emergent treatment included mass effect from hydronephrosis in three patients, renal dysfunction in five, and severe urinary tract infection in one. During neonatal periods, a percutaneous nephrostomy tube was placed in seven, and open nephrostomy in one with anorectal malformation. Repeated punctures of the dilated renal pelvis were done in one patient. Renal function after pyeloplasty was stable in eight patients, while it was moderately decreased in one who was associated with oligohydramnios in utero. CONCLUSION: Indications for emergent treatment in neonates with PUJO included mass effect from giant hydronephrosis, renal dysfunction and severe urinary tract infection. At birth, respiratory and circulatory conditions must first be stabilized. In neonates with hydronephrosis of the solitary kidney or severe bilateral PUJO, serial SCr should be monitored to evaluate renal function. Decrease of amniotic fluid suggested renal functional compromise that would not recover after urological management.     

Posterior urethral valves: prenatal diagnostic signs and outcome

INTRODUCTION: Urethral valves can be of enormous clinical importance. Both the prognosis for an affected fetus and the indication for a prenatal therapeutic intervention depend to a high degree on the accuracy of the prenatal diagnosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The sonographic findings and the results of the postnatal diagnostic workup of 24 boys treated for urethral valves in our institute are analyzed in the present paper. RESULTS: Out of a group of 900 children, diagnosed prenatally as having urinary tract anomalies, the postnatal diagnostic workup revealed 24 boys suffering from posterior urethral valves. The combination of megacystis, oligohydramnios, and bilateral renal abnormalities was present in 3 boys, and it was only in these cases that urethral valves were correctly identified as the underlying pathology. The largest group (n = 16) of these fetuses presented with bilateral hydronephrosis with and without megaureter. Megacystis in any combination with other findings was detected only in 4 patients. Oligohydramnios as a sign of impaired renal function was observed in four pregnancies. Four children suffered postnatally from beginning renal insufficiency. Eight infants (33%) required some form of respiratory support. This group included the 4 newborns with oligohydramnios during the pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: Posterior urethral valves represent a rare but severe congenital malformation. They can disrupt the development of the entire urinary tract and may be life-limiting to the affected boy. Only rarely, however, are they manifested as the complete pathological picture on prenatal ultrasound. In most cases, bilateral impairment of the fetal renal development suggests severe subvesical obstruction. Thus in cases with bilateral renal impairment on prenatal ultrasonography, posterior urethral valves are to be excluded postnatally. Oligohydramnios is a predictor of a poor outcome of the renal function.     

Prenatal diagnosis of urological abnormalities

The frequent discovery of fetal congenital abnormalities has led to a better understanding of pediatric urological disorders. On the other hand, new questions on clinical examinations and management of the children have given rise to much controversy. We reviewed the difficulties and pitfalls surrounding the urological prenatal diagnosis. Accuracy of ultrasonography is operator-dependent, and main factors leading misdiagnosis include oligohydramnios and rare incidence of the abnormalities. Underlying disorders of prenatal hydronephrosis are multifactorial. Efforts to obtain co-existing findings, such as ureteral dilatation or bladder abnormalities, are essential to make accurate diagnosis. Evaluation of fetal renal function is mandatory in critical cases with decreased amniotic fluid volume. Biochemical analysis of fetal urine may be most reliable in differentiating fetuses with a good prognosis from those with a poor prognosis.     

Echography and fetal urinary malformations

A great number of malformations of the foetal urinary tract can now be discovered during the antenatal period, due to the technological development of ultrasound in the light of foetal physiology: firstly the case of a severe oligohydramnios indicating a bilateral renal malformation and underlining its seriousness which is lethal in most cases: early severe oligohydramnios leads to very serious pulmonary hypoplasia of which the child will die at birth even if he only presents a surgically curable malformation such as lower urinary tract valves. This severe oligohydramnios is seen in bilateral renal agenesis, infantile polycystic kidney disease, multicystic bilateral dysplasia, lower urinary tract obstructions. Absence of oligohydramnios: unilateral malformation (it must be taken into consideration that normality of the contralateral kidney is not always easy to confirm by ultrasound). This is the case of unilateral hydronephrosis, unilateral renal agenesis, unilateral multicystic dysplasia, solid renal dysplasia, unilateral primary megaureter. Finally, complex malformations, where the diagnosis and management are problematic because the intensity of the effects is difficult to evaluate, the complexity of the malformation makes the diagnosis uncertain and lastly there exists an oligohydramnios which is more or less severe which makes for a difficult examination. This is the case of bilateral hydronephrosis, lower urinary tract obstructions, Prune Belly syndrome, bilateral primary megaureters, and megabladders.     

Complications of intrauterine intervention for treatment of fetal obstructive uropathy

The intrauterine surgical placement of vesicoamniotic shunts in the treatment of fetal obstructive uropathy associated with prune-belly syndrome to avoid such complications as renal damage and oligohydramnios remains controversial. We present a case of an infant born with prune-belly syndrome at 33 weeks and 5 days of estimated gestational age to a mother of two by vaginal delivery after a pregnancy complicated by fetal obstructive uropathy with attempted intrauterine intervention. After sonographic and laboratory diagnostic and prognostic evaluations, an intrauterine procedure was performed in which a vesicoamniotic shunt was placed under ultrasound guidance. Complications included dislodgment of the initial shunt, with a failed subsequent attempt at placement, oligohydramnios, preterm labor and delivery, and traumatic gastroschisis through the surgical abdominal wall defect. His hospital stay was further complicated by chronic renal insufficiency, prematurity, respiratory distress, bowel malrotation, an episode of gram-negative sepsis with Enterobacter cloacae, signs of liver failure, an exploratory laparotomy for severe enterocolitis, and orchiopexy for bilateral undescended testes. At present, it is unclear whether vesicoamniotic shunt placement can provide any significant improvement in the morbidity or mortality for patients with prune-belly syndrome. A large, prospective, randomized trial is needed to determine its efficacy.     

The management of hydronephrosis in patients undergoing TURBT

Objective: Previous studies have shown the negative prognostic correlation of hydronephrosis in bladder cancer; however, practical uncertainties remain regarding the management of these patients. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the notes of patients undergoing TURBT over a three year period and recorded the management and outcome of patients with hydronephrosis. Results: Six percent with bladder cancer had hydronephrosis. Nearly all the cases had muscle invasive disease. At TURBT, the ureteric orifice was seen in 41%; in the remaining 59% of patients, the ureteric orifice was involved and resected. This resolved the hydronephrosis in only one patient (who had superficial disease). Conclusions: Hydronephrosis in bladder cancer is associated with a poor prognosis. The hydronephrosis does not resolve with resection alone. As awaiting it’s resolution may delay definitive treatment, we suggest aggressive management of hydronephrosis from the time of initial diagnosis with ureteric stenting in order to protect renal units and optimize renal function prior to further definitive treatment of bladder cancer.