Chapter 540 - Obstruction of the Urinary Tract

Most childhood obstructive lesions are congenital, although urinary tract obstruction can be caused by trauma, neoplasia, calculi, inflammatory processes, or surgical procedures. Obstructive lesions occur at any level from the urethral meatus to the calyceal infundibula (Table 540-1). The pathophysiologic effects of obstruction depend on its level, the extent of involvement, the child’s age at onset, and whether it is acute or chronic.