Ureterocele
What is it?
A ureterocele is a congenital disorder in which
the ureters (the tubes through which urine flows
from the kidney to the bladder) swell and develops
a pouch. The condition causes blockage and
abnormal urine flow.
Who gets it?
Ureteroceles occur in about one in 4,000
people. Caucasians are most likely to be affected.
It is more common in females and can effect either
the right or left ureters, and in some cases,
both.
What causes it?
Ureteroceles occur in the developing fetus for
unknown reasons. Uteroceles can be complicated by
incorrect placement of the ureter (ectopic ureter)
or other congenital anomalies, including blockage
of the connection between the kidney and the
ureter or vesicoureteral reflux (backflow of urine
from the bladder into the ureter) on the opposite
side.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of a ureterocele include flank pain
that may travel to the groin, genitals and thighs;
back and abdominal pain, possibley only on one
side; urinary tract infection; fever; painful
urination; foul-smelling urine; blood in the
urine; excessive urination, especially at nigh;
urinary incontinece and an abdominal mass. The
condition can cause several other complications,
including swelling of the kidneys.
How is it diagnosed?
A doctor may diagnose a ureterocele before
birth during a prenatal maternal ultrasound,
depending on the size of the ureterocele. If the
ureterocele is small enough, it may not be
detected until adulthood when the patient seeks
medical attention for severe urinary tract
infections or kidney stones. Uteroceles can also
cause chronic unilateral (one-sided) or bilateral
(both-sided) obstructive swelling of the affected
kidney(s).
The doctor may check the patient for elevated
blood pressure, and a urinalysis may reveal blood
in the urine or signs of urinary tract infection.
The doctor may also perform several tests such as
a retrograde pyelogram, abdominal ultrasound, or
CT scan of the abdomen to locate a ureterocele.
What is the treatment?
Surgery is usually recommended to correct a
ureterocele to prevent permanent damage to the
kidney. The doctor may prescribe antibiotics to
prevent further infections until surgery can be
done. Stents (drains placed in the ureter or in
the renal pelvis) may provide short-term relief of
symptoms.
Surgery may involve either making an incision
of the ureterocele or removing the ureterocele and
reattaching the ureter to the bladder, depending
on the severity of the obstruction. Small
ureteroceles in adults usually do not require
treatment.
Self-care tips
Surgery to correct a ureterocele is usually
successful. However, if damage to the kidneys
occurs it may be permanent, resulting in a
decrease or loss of function of one kidney. Other
complications include chronic or recurrent urinary
tract infections and permanent bladder damage
resulting in incontinence or the abnormal holding
of urine.
This information has been designed as a comprehensive and quick reference
guide written by our health care reviewers. The health information written
by our authors is intended to be a supplement to the care provided by your
physician. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for
professional medical advice.
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