What is a pelvi-ureteric junction (PUJ) obstruction? Pelvi-ureteric junction (PUJ) obstruction is a condition where there is a blockage at the point where the renal pelvis (the area where the kidney collects urine) meets the ureter (the tube that carries urine from the kidney to the bladder). Image provided courtesy of Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia […]
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What is a glomerulus? A glomerulus is a tiny filter in the kidney. There are a million in each kidney. In other words, the kidney is not one big filter, it is a million tiny ones. So. What is a glomerulus? It is a ball shape structure. Inside it, there is a scrunched up ball
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What is a horseshoe kidney? A horseshoe kidney, also called renal fusion, is when two kidneys are fused or joined together. They form a shape like a horseshoe. A horseshoe kidney is also in a different location compared to two typical kidneys. It’s located lower in the tummy and closer to the front of your
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What is a kidney (renal) biopsy? A kidney biopsy is an important but invasive procedure with pros and cons, which we will now go through. Its normal to be a little anxious But what is it? It’s a procedure to take a sample of kidney tissue, about the size of a small pin, which is
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What are the 4 pillars of CKD? Scale of the problem In the USA , a staggering 13% of people >18 years of age are estimated to have diabetes and 35% meet the criteria for prediabetes. CKD and Type 2 Diabetes (DM2) together contribute to a major health burden for individuals, constitute a major public
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What did the ancient people believe about kidneys? In this article, we will discuss what did the ancient people believe about kidneys. Although renal disease has been present for over 200 millennia of Homo sapiens’ existence, knowledge of the causes and management of these disorders has only emerged during the last 4000 years. Important insights
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What are kidney cysts? Kidney cysts are round pouches of fluid that form on or in the kidneys. Most often, kidney cysts are a type called simple kidney cysts. Simple kidney cysts aren’t cancer and rarely cause problems. It is not clear what causes simple kidney cysts. And its normal to have 3 or more
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What is a nuclear medicine renal (kidney) scan? In a nuclear medicine renal scan (or ‘renogram’), pictures are taken of radioactive substances going into the kidneys from the bloodstream, inside the kidneys, and into the bladder through the ureters (that join the kidneys to the bladder). A nuclear medicine renal scan uses radiopharmaceuticals (radioactive substances)
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What are the 5 stages of CKD? Keep track of your kidney data with PKB Key Points There are 5 stages (grades) of CKD, from CKD1 (risk factor) to CKD5 (kidney failure) CKD stage is based on a blood test called eGFR – the higher the eGFR value, the lower the grade of CKD, the better
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What are CKD sick day rules? They are rules are designed to reduce the likelihood of Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) and kidney failure – largely in frail elderly people on multiple medications. So, if such patients become sick and dehydrated (usually secondary to an infection, e.g. urine, chest or gastrointestinal), they are advised to withhold
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