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Freebase(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition: Hydronephrosis â literally water inside the kidney â refers to distension and dilation of the renal pelvis and calyces, usually caused by obstruction of the free flow of urine from the kidney. Untreated, it leads to progressive atrophy of the kidney.
A number of conditions can be responsible for hydronephrosis, where a build-up of urine inside either one or both kidneys causes them to stretch and become swollen. Hydronephrosis can occur at any age. Although hydronephrosis can clear up on its own, sometimes kidney failure can occur if a severe case is not treated. What is hydronephrosis?