title: Urine neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin identifies unilateral and bilateral urinary tract obstruction.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Urinary tract obstruction (UTO) is a common problem that can lead to permanent loss of kidney function. Unilateral UTO may be difficult to diagnose. Urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated Lipocalin (uNGAL) may identify unilateral and bilateral UTO.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective case-control study of patients undergoing hospital admission at three sites. UTO was determined by review of medical records and cases were matched to control patients. uNGAL was measured by immunoblot.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-four unilateral UTO and 15 bilateral UTO cases were identified. Admission serum creatinine (sCr) (milligram per decilitre) was significantly higher in bilateral UTO, 2.0 (1.1-5.3), but not unilateral UTO, 1.1 (0.8-1.5), compared to controls, 0.9 (0.8-1.2). uNGAL (nanogram per millilitre) was significantly higher both in patients with bilateral UTO, 140 (40-450), and unilateral UTO, 50 (20-100), compared to controls, 20 (10-45).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  uNGAL identifies kidney injury in unilateral and bilateral UTO even in the absence of an elevated sCr.
authors: Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
authors: Meghan E
authors: ME
authors: Sise
authors: Catherine
authors: C
authors: Forster
authors: Eugenia
authors: E
authors: Singer
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Sola-Del Valle
authors: Barry
authors: B
authors: Hahn
authors: Kai M
authors: KM
authors: Schmidt-Ott
authors: Jonathan
authors: J
authors: Barasch
authors: Thomas L
authors: TL
authors: Nickolas
mesh_terms: D000209:Acute-Phase Proteins / Q000652:urine*; D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000071068:Lipocalin-2; D054834:Lipocalins / Q000652:urine*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000652:urine*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014524:Urethral Obstruction / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000652:urine*; D001748:Urinary Bladder Neck Obstruction / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000652:urine*
chemical_list: D000209:Acute-Phase Proteins; C489506:LCN2 protein, human; D000071068:Lipocalin-2; D054834:Lipocalins; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins