GIANT HYDRONEPHROSIS OF ABOUT ONE-QUARTER OF THE BODY-WEIGHT

We report on a giant hydronephrosis with a contents of ca. 19 liters t hat had developed at the site of a ureteropelvic junction obstruction. Therapy consisted of percutaneous nephrostomy and reduction of the hy dronephrosis by successive drainage over 18 days, followed by nephrect omy. Diagnostic workup and possible pitfalls of the differential diagn osis are addressed. Even without prior trauma, hydronephrosis should b e considered as one of the possible causes of massive abdominal swelli ng.