Balloon Dialation of PUJ Treatment in Turkey

Robert Johnson, a 58-year-old retired construction...

Robert Johnson, a 58-year-old retired construction foreman, had always been active and stoic about pain. Over the past year, he'd been experiencing a dull, persistent ache in his right flank that would occasionally sharpen into a severe, colicky pain, especially after drinking a few beers with his old crew. He dismissed it as a 'bad back' from years of manual labor. After a particularly severe episode left him nauseous and sweating, his wife insisted he see a doctor. A CT scan revealed a significant blockage at the ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) in his right kidney, causing hydronephrosis (swelling). His urologist, Dr. Miller, explained that the 'plumbing' from his kidney was narrowed, backing up urine and causing the pain and risk of long-term kidney damage. He recommended a balloon dilation of the PUJ, a minimally invasive procedure to stretch the blockage open. Robert was anxious; he'd never had surgery before. The procedure itself, done under general anesthesia, was straightforward. A thin scope was passed up to the blockage and a small balloon was inflated to widen the passage. He woke up with a temporary internal stent. The first few days of recovery were uncomfortable, with some bladder urgency and blood in his urine, but the deep flank ache was gone. After the stent was removed a few weeks later, a follow-up scan showed dramatically improved drainage. Emotionally, Robert moved from stubborn denial and fear of the unknown to immense relief. He felt he'd gotten a part of his active life back and was grateful he'd listened to his wife and addressed the problem before it caused permanent harm.