Flank Pain

doi:10.1017/9781009500760.043

Chapter 43 - Flank Pain

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 24 April 2026

Nicholas Pettit

Edited by

Angela Bray Lindsay and

Monica Kathleen Wattana

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Angela Bray Lindsay: Affiliation:
Virginia Commonwealth University
Monica Kathleen Wattana: Affiliation:
University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center

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Summary

1. Patients with advanced cancer can develop ureteric obstruction and percutaneous nephrostomy tube insertion can relieve this obstruction and prevent renal failure

2. Survival in patients with malignant ureteral obstruction can range widely from a few days to a few years.

3. Nephrostomy tube placement is generally safe and without major complications, however, patients with nephrostomy tubes often present to the ED with a wide array of complications.

4. It is important to have a high index of suspicion for infectious etiologies in nephrostomy tube complications, especially in patients with cancer.

5. Laboratory and imaging studies, along with specialty consultation are often needed to troubleshoot many nephrostomy tube complications.

Keywords

Nephrostomy tube Urology Cancer Malignant Obstruction Oncologic Emergency Ureteral Obstruction Dislodged Nephrostomy Tube Acute Kidney Injury Postoperative Abscess Colon Cancer

Information

Type: Chapter
Information: Oncologic Emergency Medicine
Clinical Cases Illustrating Key Concepts
, pp. 229 - 232
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009500760.043 [Opens in a new window]
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2026

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