Dietl's crisis

System: Kidney & Urinary Signs · All kidney & urinary signs

What it is — and how it is elicited

Attacks of severe loin pain, nausea and reduced urine flow when an intermittently obstructed kidney swells, relieved when the obstruction frees and a large volume of urine is passed.

What a positive finding suggests

Associated with intermittent obstruction at the junction of the kidney and ureter (pelviureteric junction obstruction).

◈ Behind the name

Józef Dietl (1804–1878), Polish physician and rector of the Jagiellonian University.

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Please note: This page is an educational reference about clinical examination signs. A clinical sign supports — and never replaces — a full clinical evaluation, examination and appropriate testing. A sign being present does not by itself prove a diagnosis, and an absent sign does not rule one out. If you have symptoms that worry you, see a health professional.