Emergency decompression of the urinary tract is necessary when urinary flow is obstructed, usually by a stone, stricture or other obstruction, causing hydronephrosis, severe pain, worsening kidney function, or infection.
It is performed endoscopically by placing a ureteral catheter (stent) or, in selected cases, through percutaneous nephrostomy, to immediately restore urinary drainage and protect the kidney.
When the obstruction is accompanied by fever or urosepsis, it constitutes a urological emergency requiring immediate treatment, while definitive treatment of the underlying cause is usually carried out at a later stage, once the patient has been stabilised.
