Work

Intermittent Ureteropelvic Junction Obstruction Can Mimic Abdominal Migraine: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Recurrent abdominal pain poses a diagnostic challenge in the pediatric population. Functional and structural etiologies can contribute to this condition. The organic etiologies of recurrent abdominal pain are diagnoses of exclusions and considering them as the initial diagnosis could lead to mis- or delayed diagnosis with potentially several clinical consequences. Intermittent ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) is one of the structural etiologies of recurrent abdominal pain that could mimic the clinical presentation of functional etiologies. The absence of radiologic evidence of intermittent UPJO in the interval between the attack episodes makes it a diagnostic challenge, especially in the initial stages. This underscores the value of imaging evaluation during abdominal pain episodes or performing diuretic-enhanced imaging modalities to capture the structural changes between the episodes. This study comprehensively discussed the diagnostic challenges associated with pediatric intermittent UPJO. We also present a known case of recurrent abdominal pain initially diagnosed as abdominal migraine, which was later reclassified as intermittent UPJO. Moreover, we reviewed the conventional diagnostic approaches in identifying the presence of structural etiologies in intermittent UPJO.

Source: Clinical Case Reports

DOI: 10.1002/ccr3.70576

Authors: Yasaman Daryabari, Parmida Sadat Pezeshki, Negar Mohammadi Ganjaroudi, Abdol‐Mohammad Kajbafzadeh

Institutions: Children's Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences

Language: English

Topic: Pediatric Urology and Nephrology Studies

Subfield: Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,820