Ureteropelvic junction obstruction - mimicking an “elephant head” on magnetic resonance imaging

Abstract

Ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) with giant hydronephrosis is relatively rare in adults as compared to children. Most of the UPJO reported or seen in daily practice have a distinct hydronephrosis with a narrow ureteropelvic junction and a collapsed ureter distally. We present images a case of an adult female with Left UPJO, which on MRI mimicked an ‘elephant head’.

Giant hydronephrosis associated with angiomyolipoma in an adult male: A case report

“…In the adult, it can enlarge to massive and elephantoid proportions, containing several liters of fluid. 1 The commonest cause is congenital uretero-pelvic junction obstruction (UPJO). GH can remain clinically silent and undiagnosed for years, resulting in complications such as hypertension, rupture from minor blunt abdominal trauma, renal failure and neoplastic changes.…”