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Should A Non Functional Right Kidney Be Removed?
Question: I am 29 years old guy and recently when i went to routine health check up i am diagnosed with right kidney non functional due to some obstruction(not kidney stone) and left kidney is perfectly normal. i never felt any symptoms like pain or any sort , checked with urologist he said that since it is non functional better to remove before it starts troubling you and nephrologist suggested that since right kidney is not functioning it could be from birth (he said in most cases it is from birth only) so no need to get it removed for now as there is no pain or any symptoms and if it is from birth then it is normal and if it starts troubling you , you will feel severe pain , fever , swelling and other symptoms so at that time you can get it removed.
First i went for regular health check up in which ultrasond scan for whole abdomen which detected Right PCS dialted (right pelviureteric junction obstruction) .
After that urologist suggested me to do go for IVP X-ray scan.
result : right kidney non detected and left kidney detected fine.
Then i went for DTPA scan
result : left kidney normal with gfr as 82.5 ml/min.
right kidney no perfusion or cortical uptake noted . photopenia noted in the right renal fossa.
Serum/plasma Creatinine(alkaline picrate:modified jaffe method) test result : 1.3 mg/dl
i am very confused what should i do . should i get this removed as soon as possible or wait for the symptoms ??
will a non functional kidney can lead to some other problem like cancer ??
what should be my pre cautions from on onwards.??
First i went for regular health check up in which ultrasond scan for whole abdomen which detected Right PCS dialted (right pelviureteric junction obstruction) .
After that urologist suggested me to do go for IVP X-ray scan.
result : right kidney non detected and left kidney detected fine.
Then i went for DTPA scan
result : left kidney normal with gfr as 82.5 ml/min.
right kidney no perfusion or cortical uptake noted . photopenia noted in the right renal fossa.
Serum/plasma Creatinine(alkaline picrate:modified jaffe method) test result : 1.3 mg/dl
i am very confused what should i do . should i get this removed as soon as possible or wait for the symptoms ??
will a non functional kidney can lead to some other problem like cancer ??
what should be my pre cautions from on onwards.??
Brief Answer:
Right kidney removal not indicated in your case.
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX and welcome to HCM.
As an Urologist,i can fully understand your concern.
XXXXXXX you're worried about report of scans done so far,CT scan and DTPA.
1. Right kidney is proved to be non-functioning. It's barely visible.
The cause usually is PUJ obstruction. And it's from birth in majority.
It's advisable to remove the right kidney,because it can get infected and affect
the normal left kidney, if the non-functional kidney is of significant size.
This is standard approach.
But in your case,the right kidney, is non-visualised on both scans.
Hence,it may be left alone. If at all any symptoms develop later,it may be
treated at that time.
2. Non-functional kidneys are not known to lead to cancer.
Don't worry about that.
3. You're advised to reduce salt intake.
You should re-check creatinine in a weeks time. It should remain below 1.4.
Check your blood pressure regularly.
Maintain fluid intake of about 10-12 glasses daily.
Check your ultrasound scan abdomen/ KUB, annually.
You may send your doubts to me,with reports.
Wish you good health.
Dr.Matthew J. Mangat.
Right kidney removal not indicated in your case.
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX and welcome to HCM.
As an Urologist,i can fully understand your concern.
XXXXXXX you're worried about report of scans done so far,CT scan and DTPA.
1. Right kidney is proved to be non-functioning. It's barely visible.
The cause usually is PUJ obstruction. And it's from birth in majority.
It's advisable to remove the right kidney,because it can get infected and affect
the normal left kidney, if the non-functional kidney is of significant size.
This is standard approach.
But in your case,the right kidney, is non-visualised on both scans.
Hence,it may be left alone. If at all any symptoms develop later,it may be
treated at that time.
2. Non-functional kidneys are not known to lead to cancer.
Don't worry about that.
3. You're advised to reduce salt intake.
You should re-check creatinine in a weeks time. It should remain below 1.4.
Check your blood pressure regularly.
Maintain fluid intake of about 10-12 glasses daily.
Check your ultrasound scan abdomen/ KUB, annually.
You may send your doubts to me,with reports.
Wish you good health.
Dr.Matthew J. Mangat.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Naveen Kumar
Thank you for the response sir.
I have some concerns about my right non functional kidney:
is my kidney non functional from my birth and it is detected now or can it be the case it was working(fully or partially??) and failed now ?
I have some concerns about my left kidney also :
Is my left kidney is perfectly normal or it is prone to disease(lead to kidney failure)
Since the GFR rate is 82.5 for left kidney, will it be reduced further and how much time will it take if it happens ?
is my left kidney functional capability is also decreasing.
Is it a chronic kidney disease ?
will there is a chance of me in future to go for dialysis.?
In Brief from your above answer : right kidney removal is not indicated.?
what to do to control or increase GFR rate ?
what should i do to keep creatinine stable ?
Should i become vegetarian from now to control my protein intake ?
Should i stop weight lifting in gym and go for aerobics and yoga.
Is there many post surgery complications or problems can occurred after surgery?
Can i live a normal life from now with one kidney ??
Thanks in advance Sir ...
I have some concerns about my right non functional kidney:
is my kidney non functional from my birth and it is detected now or can it be the case it was working(fully or partially??) and failed now ?
I have some concerns about my left kidney also :
Is my left kidney is perfectly normal or it is prone to disease(lead to kidney failure)
Since the GFR rate is 82.5 for left kidney, will it be reduced further and how much time will it take if it happens ?
is my left kidney functional capability is also decreasing.
Is it a chronic kidney disease ?
will there is a chance of me in future to go for dialysis.?
In Brief from your above answer : right kidney removal is not indicated.?
what to do to control or increase GFR rate ?
what should i do to keep creatinine stable ?
Should i become vegetarian from now to control my protein intake ?
Should i stop weight lifting in gym and go for aerobics and yoga.
Is there many post surgery complications or problems can occurred after surgery?
Can i live a normal life from now with one kidney ??
Thanks in advance Sir ...
Brief Answer:
Right kidney removal not advised. L kidney function(creatinine) needs a re-check.
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
Your right kidney is non-functional from birth.
As it is very small in size, surgery isn't advised.
Creatinine being on the higher side, it is advised to repeat it,after a week.
Many people are born with a single kidney,and lead a normal life.
Those with normal two kidneys,can donate one kidney.
There is no need to worry about having a single functioning kidney.
There are no restrictions advised, other than the one's advised earlier.
Wish you good health.
Dr.Matthew J. Mangat.
Right kidney removal not advised. L kidney function(creatinine) needs a re-check.
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
Your right kidney is non-functional from birth.
As it is very small in size, surgery isn't advised.
Creatinine being on the higher side, it is advised to repeat it,after a week.
Many people are born with a single kidney,and lead a normal life.
Those with normal two kidneys,can donate one kidney.
There is no need to worry about having a single functioning kidney.
There are no restrictions advised, other than the one's advised earlier.
Wish you good health.
Dr.Matthew J. Mangat.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Sonia Raina
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