# Acute bilateral ureteric obstruction after Deflux injection: a case report

**Authors:** Yaser M Ata, Muthana Al-Salihi, Kholoud Al-Abassi, Tariq Abbas, Joao L Pippi Salle

PMC · DOI: 10.1093/jscr/rjaf1071 · 2026-01-15

## TL;DR

A child developed severe kidney blockage after a minimally invasive VUR treatment, requiring emergency intervention.

## Contribution

Highlights a rare but serious complication of endoscopic bulking agent injection for vesicoureteral reflux.

## Key findings

- Acute bilateral ureteral obstruction occurred after Deflux injection in a 7-year-old boy.
- Emergency stent placement resolved the obstruction and improved hydronephrosis.
- The patient remained asymptomatic for 5 years post-treatment.

## Abstract

Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) is a prevalent cause of recurrent urinary tract infections and renal scarring in pediatric patients, managed with conservative measures or surgical intervention. Endoscopic sub-ureteral bulking agent injection provides a minimally invasive option. We present a 7-year-old boy with severe bilateral VUR who developed acute bilateral ureteral obstruction following dextranomer/hyaluronic acid (Deflux) injection. Despite an unremarkable early postoperative course, he developed severe abdominal pain, vomiting, anuria, elevated creatinine, and worsening hydronephrosis. Emergency cystoscopy with bilateral double-J stent placement relieved the obstruction. Significant inflammatory masses at the uretero-vesical junction markedly improved following stent removal. The patient remained asymptomatic without hydronephrosis after 5 years. This case highlights the uncommon but significant risk of ureteral obstruction following endoscopic bulking agent injection and emphasizes the need for careful post-procedural monitoring.

## Linked entities

- **Diseases:** vesicoureteral reflux (MONDO:0006007), hydronephrosis (MONDO:0005510)

## Full-text entities

- **Diseases:** urinary tract infections (MESH:D014552), vomiting (MESH:D014839), hydronephrosis (MESH:D006869), anuria (MESH:D001002), ureteral obstruction (MESH:D014517), renal scarring (MESH:D005921), inflammatory (MESH:D007249), VUR (MESH:D014718), abdominal pain (MESH:D015746)
- **Chemicals:** creatinine (MESH:D003404), Deflux (MESH:C094535), hyaluronic acid (MESH:D006820), dextranomer (MESH:C013471)
- **Species:** Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606]

## Figures

3 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12804172/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12804172