Renal Function in Experimental Chronic Hydronephrosis: II. Backflow Studies with Radionuclides

Abstract

Studies of backflow in experimental unilateral chronic hydronephrosis in dogs with a known residual renal function and renal pelvic volume were performed with radioactively labelled substances with molecular weights of ca. 600, 5 200 and 68 000 placed in the hydronephrotic renal pelvis. Three different pressure levels in the renal pelvis were used. Isotope concentrations were determined in the thoracic duct lymph, blood and urine from the contralateral kidney. The greater part of the test substances appeared to pass to the blood circulation, while a smaller part was found in the lymphatic ducts. The largest molecule, however, was only able to leave the renal pelvis to any appreciable extent at the highest pressure. In kidneys with a low grade of hydronephrosis and well preserved function, a relatively large amount of test substance left the renal pelvis (ca. 10–15%). In more advanced grades of hydronephrosis with greater impairment of renal function, the backflow was considerably less.