Pyelovenous Back Flow

Abstract

Previous investigations have shown that intrapelvic pressure causes a back flow of pelvic contents into the renal vein. In hydro-nephrosis, this back flow continues under lessening intrapelvic pressure. Pyelovenous back flow occurs in life, demonstrable by artificially increased intrapelvic pressure after injecting phenolsulphonephthalein into one ureter of an animal with both ureters catheterized, and recovering the dye from the opposite kidney in a time comparable to that with direct intravenous injection. The method is described in detail. It is shown that the content of a closed hydronephrosis undergoes a continuous change, fresh material being secreted by the kidney and the excess removed by an active reabsorption which occurs mainly through pyelovenous back flow.