Renal papillary necrosis is a condition that damages parts of your kidney. It can block parts of your urinary tract and lead to infections or chronic kidney disease. Some symptoms include pain when you pee, side or back pain, and pus, blood or tissue in your pee. Common causes include diabetes, sickle cell disease and overuse of pain relievers.
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Renal papillary necrosis is a condition where parts of your kidney (renal papillae) aren’t getting enough blood flow. This causes tissue in your kidney to die. The tissue can break off and move into your urinary tract.
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Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy
Papillary necrosis can affect one or both kidneys.
In the early stages, you might not have noticeable symptoms. As renal papillary necrosis progresses, symptoms could include:
The most common causes of renal papillary necrosis include:
Other conditions that can lead to renal papillary necrosis include:
If not treated, renal papillary necrosis can lead to:
Healthcare providers diagnose renal papillary necrosis using:
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Papillary necrosis can be hard to diagnose early. Symptoms don’t always show up until there’s a lot of damage. Your provider may do tests like routine bloodwork and urinalysis to catch any issues early.
There isn’t one specific treatment for renal papillary necrosis. You might need:
In severe cases, you may need dialysis or a kidney transplant. Your provider will also help you manage any health conditions that can cause papillary necrosis.
Talk to your provider if you experience:
If you have a condition that puts you at risk for renal papillary necrosis, talk to your provider about ways to reduce your risk and how to recognize early symptoms.
Your experience with renal papillary necrosis depends on how much damage there is and the cause. In some cases, kidney function improves with treatment. In others, the damage may continue to get worse. In severe cases, it can cause life-threatening complications.
Your provider will likely recommend that you stay hydrated and not use certain medications, like NSAIDs (aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen). Ask your provider what to expect.
Managing ongoing health conditions, like diabetes and sickle cell disease, and staying hydrated are the best ways to reduce your risk of renal papillary necrosis. Your provider may check your kidney function periodically to catch any issues early.
Be careful not to go over the recommended dosage of pain medications. If you find yourself taking them regularly, talk to your healthcare provider.
We don’t think about our kidneys a lot. But they play a critical role in keeping us healthy. If you have a health condition or take medications that put you at higher risk for renal papillary necrosis, there are steps you can take to catch any issues early. Talk to your provider about how to protect your health.
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Cleveland Clinic’s health articles are based on evidence-backed information and review by medical professionals to ensure accuracy, reliability and up-to-date clinical standards.
Cleveland Clinic’s health articles are based on evidence-backed information and review by medical professionals to ensure accuracy, reliability and up-to-date clinical standards.
If you have a condition that’s affecting your kidneys, you want experts by your side. At Cleveland Clinic, we’ll work with you to craft a personalized treatment plan.
