[Ureteropelvic junction obstruction presenting with abdominal pain: a analysis of fourteen cases].

During the past three and half years (Jan, 1984-Jun. 1987), 14 cases of ureteropelvic junction obstruction presented with abdominal pain were encountered in the Department of Pediatrics, Mackay Memorial Hospital. Eight cases were male and six female. Their ages ranged from 4 years old to 12 years old. The duration of abdominal pain lasted for several days in 5 cases, several months in 4, and several years in another 5 cases. The abdominal pain was usually recurrent. It occurred once every 2 to 6 months. The location of pain was predominantly in the left abdomen and the periumbilical area. Cramping was the most characteristic symptom. Besides abdominal pain, several cases also had vomiting or abdominal mass. Laboratory examination showed some cases to have microscopic hematuria and others pyuria. All were proved by renal ultrasonography to have varying degrees of hydronephrosis. Intravenous pyelography or retrograde pyelography also confirmed the diagnosis of ureteropelvic junction obstruction. In 9 of the 14 cases, surgical intervention was performed to correct abnormalities. Six cases were followed up regularly; all showed improvement, however, one developed ureteropelvic junction obstruction on the contralateral kidney one year later. The remaining five cases who did not receive surgical treatment continued to have recurrent abdominal pain.