Treatment of acute obstructive renal failure with high-dose methylprednisolone.

High-dose methylprednisolone sodium succinate (Solu-Medrol) therapy was administered to two patients with acute renal failure and anuria secondary to cancer-related urinary tract obstruction. Following the administration of intravenous methylprednisolone, obstruction was relieved, as evidenced by increased urinary flow and improvement of renal function. The salutary effect of methylprednisolone is probably related to the relief of obstruction secondary to a decrease in tumor-associated edema similar to the effect obtained in patients with brain tumors and spinal cord compression by epidural metastases. The temporary improvement in renal function allowed time for more definitive therapy to be instituted under more favorable clinical conditions.