Abdominal pain as a result of intermittent hydronephrosis

K. Fu, W. Jia, W. Fu, L.-Y. Zhang, J.-H. Hu, Z. Zhao, G. Liu, S.-B. Zhu, G.-C. Liu

Guangzhou Women and Children’s Medical Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China. drguochangliu@163.com

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• Nephrology

OBJECTIVE: We report a minority of cases presented with abdominal pain due to intermittent hydronephrosis, to improve the recognition of this condition.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively studied 1152 children complained of abdominal pain in our center from January 2010 to December 2015. Also, we analyzed the clinical presentation, treatment experience, examination results, and image features in detail.

RESULTS: 14 patients received a diagnosis of intermittent hydronephrosis including 11 boys and 3 girls. 9 patients were affected on the left kidney and other 5 on the right side. All children presented recurrent abdominal pain, and the ultrasound images varied during different stages. All patients had been misdiagnosed and delayed treatment.

CONCLUSIONS: Abdominal pain caused by intermittent hydronephrosis is easily misdiagnosed; all preschool children with a history of recurrent abdominal pain should be suspected of this condition.

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