What is a possible symptom of papillary necrosis?

Papillary necrosis is a condition that involves the death of the papillae of the renal pyramids, often due to ischemia or obstruction. One of the hallmark symptoms associated with this condition is hematuria, which is the presence of blood in urine. This occurs because the necrotic tissue in the renal papillae can cause bleeding, which then enters the urinary tract. This bleeding may be visible as red or dark brown color in the urine, indicating the presence of blood.

Other symptoms associated with renal issues may include urinary retention, proteinuria, and polyuria, but they are not as directly linked to papillary necrosis as hematuria is. Urinary retention typically suggests a blockage in the urinary tract or bladder dysfunction, proteinuria is commonly related to glomerular diseases, and polyuria generally points towards issues with water regulation or diabetes mellitus. In the context of papillary necrosis, hematuria stands out as a direct consequence of the necrosis and tissue damage.