Which condition may be a cause of postrenal acute renal failure?

Postrenal acute renal failure occurs when there is an obstruction that hinders urine flow from the kidneys. This obstruction can occur anywhere in the urinary tract, including the ureters or urethra. When such an obstruction exists, it leads to an increase in pressure within the renal system, which can ultimately result in damage to the kidneys if not resolved.

Examples of potential causes of obstruction include calculi (stones), tumors, strictures, or enlarged prostate tissue. By relieving this blockage, normal kidney function can often be restored, distinguishing postrenal from other types of acute renal failure, which may arise from different mechanisms, such as prerenal causes (related to blood flow) or intrinsic renal causes (associated with damage to kidney tissue).