Nephroptosis

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
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Nephroptosis
Synonyms	Floating kidney, renal ptosis
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Flank pain, nausea, vomiting, hematuria
Complications	Hydronephrosis, urinary tract infection
Onset	Typically in young adults
Duration	Chronic
Types	N/A
Causes	Weakening of the renal fascia
Risks	Thin body habitus, trauma
Diagnosis	Intravenous pyelogram, ultrasound, CT scan
Differential diagnosis	Renal colic, pyelonephritis, appendicitis
Prevention	N/A
Treatment	Nephropexy, supportive care
Medication	Analgesics for pain management
Prognosis	N/A
Frequency	Rare
Deaths	N/A

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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