Kidney Stone / Ureteropelvic Junction (UPJ) CT Scan ?

[Jibs1]

Hi,

Is "the most proximal aspect of the left ureter" the Ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) ?  I'm asking because my  Urologist has spoken to me about my report, etc., and said the stone in my ureter is high up near the kidney.  I've heard about a UPJ obstruction before, but forgot to ask him on the phone. Presently, my symptoms are mild (which was not the case over the weekend), so we're waiting 2 weeks to image again.  I'm on Flomax, an antibiotic & drinking a lot of water.

From the CT report:
There is a mild degree of left hydronephrosis extending to the most proximal aspect of the left ureter, where a 4 mm obstructing calculus is identified.  There are 3 tiny punctate right renal calculi.

Jibs1

[Jibs1]

Thank you so much for your reply.  It's helpful.

Jibs1

[Eric Wang, MD]

Yes that is the part of the ureter near the kidney. It is pretty clear in this case, but reports are not always clear. For this reason, I like to use the words "upstream" and "downstream" as opposed to "proximal" and "distal."