Obstruction and other conditions of the kidney and urinary system.

Many of the IR procedures related to the kidney and urinary system deal with the blockage of normal urine flow. Other procedures, such as biopsy and treatment of tumors are discussed in other sections. When urine is unable to flow from the kidney to bladder, or from the bladder to outside the body, several IR procedures are available. Depending on the severity of the blockage, these are performed either during hospitalization or as an outpatient. Moderate sedation is generally used for the initial procedure, although for exchange and maintenance of long-term drains and devices, no sedation or numbing is required.

Kidney and urinary system procedures:

- Nephrostomy tube 

- Ureteral stent

- Urinary diversion catheter

- Suprapubic catheter