Q: I am a 53 years old male experiencing pain in the right side of my lower abdomen. What does one mean by mild hydronephrosis of right kidney with dilated proximal ureter?

A:Normally, urinary collecting system in the kidney and the tube draining it (ureter) cannot be seen on ultrasonography. Mild hydronephrosis of right kidney with dilated proximal ureter is the term used to describe the finding of water collection in the urinary collecting system seen on ultrasonography. It could be a normal physiologic variation, as in cases with high urine formation state seen in some solitary kidneys, or due to back pressure with a hugely distended bladder, not uncommon during ultrasonography. Pathological conditions causing blockage in the passage of the distal ureter, like stones, or pressure from outside, will also result in similar finding.