Is The Intra-Renal Resistive Index A Useful Tool For Unilateral Upper Urinary Obstructive Diseases?

[Background and Objective]The diagnosis of chronic unilateral urinary obstruction is usually involved in discriminating obstructive from non-obstructive upper urinary dilation. Upper urinary obstruction is often associated with dilation, but not all dilation is obstruction in nature. The differentiation of obstructive and non-obstructive dilation has important implication. Over the past decade, a wide range of studies have been made over the value of resistive index in the differential diagnosis. There has been a debate on it, and children were the subject to most of studies. In addition, there were no reports concerned about the correlation of the resistive index and renal function. The aim to this study is to determine the value of the RI and other related indexes in the differential diagnosis and the correlation of the RI and renal function in adult. Additionally, to assess the effect of degree of obstruction on the RI, the role of diuretic administration and the value of the RI in the following-Up after treatment, are also included in this study.