Nephroptosis

Nephroptosis (also known as floating kidney or renal ptosis) is a pathological condition in which the kidney descends more than two vertebral bodies (or greater than 5 cm) during a change from supine to upright position. It is more common in women than in men. It can be caused by rapid weight loss, lack of perirenal fat, or a long renal pedicle.

Signs and Symptoms

Patients with nephroptosis can be asymptomatic or symptomatic. Symptomatic patients usually present with the classical triad of flank pain, abdominal pain, and hematuria. The pain is usually relieved when the patient lies down.

Diagnosis

Nephroptosis is diagnosed by intravenous urography or renal ultrasound when the patient is in the upright position. The kidney is seen to descend more than 2 vertebral bodies or greater than 5 cm.

Treatment

Treatment of nephroptosis is conservative in asymptomatic patients. Symptomatic patients may require surgical intervention, such as nephropexy or laparoscopic nephropexy.

See Also

• Kidney disease
• Renal ultrasound
• Nephropexy

References

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