Ureterocele
Incontinence - ureteroceleA ureterocele is a swelling at the bottom of one of the ureters. Ureters are the tubes that carry urine from the kidney to the bladder. The swollen area can block urine flow.
A ureterocele is a birth defect.
Causes
A ureterocele occurs in the lower part of the ureter. It is the part where the tube enters the bladder. The swollen area prevents urine from moving freely into the bladder. The urine collects in the ureterocele and stretches its walls. It expands like a water balloon.
A ureterocele can also cause urine to flow backward from the bladder to the kidney. This is called reflux.
Ureteroceles occur in about 1 in 500 people. This condition is equally common in both the left and right ureters.
Symptoms
Most people with ureteroceles do not have any symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they may include:
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Abdominal pain
Abdominal pain
Abdominal pain is pain that you feel anywhere between your chest and groin. This is often referred to as the stomach region or belly.
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Back pain that may be only on one side
- Severe side (flank) pain and spasms that may reach to the groin, genitals, and thigh
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Blood in the urine
Blood in the urine
Blood in your urine is called hematuria. The amount may be very small and only detected with urine tests or under a microscope. In other cases, the...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Burning pain while urinating (dysuria)
Dysuria
Painful urination is any pain, discomfort, or burning sensation when passing urine.
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- Difficulty starting urine flow or slowing of urine flow
- Urinary tract infection
Some other symptoms are:
- Foul-smelling urine
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Frequent and urgent urination
Frequent and urgent urination
Frequent urination means needing to urinate more often than usual. Urgent urination is a sudden, strong need to urinate. This causes a discomfort i...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Lump (mass) in the abdomen that can be felt
- Ureterocele tissue falls down (prolapse) through the female urethra and into the vagina
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Urinary incontinence
Urinary incontinence
Urinary (or bladder) incontinence occurs when you are not able to keep urine from leaking out of your urethra. The urethra is the tube that carries ...
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Exams and Tests
Large ureteroceles are often diagnosed earlier than smaller ones. It may be discovered in a pregnancy-related ultrasound before the baby is born.
Pregnancy-related ultrasound
A pregnancy ultrasound is an imaging test that uses sound waves to create a picture of how a baby is developing in the womb (uterus). It is also use...
Some people with ureteroceles do not know they have the condition. Often, the problem is found later in life due to kidney stones or infection.
Kidney stones
A kidney stone is a solid mass made up of tiny crystals. One or more stones can be in the kidney or ureter at the same time.
A urinalysis may reveal blood in the urine or signs of urinary tract infection.
Urinalysis
Urinalysis is the physical, chemical, and microscopic examination of urine. It involves a number of tests to detect and measure various compounds th...
The following tests may be done:
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Abdominal ultrasound
Abdominal ultrasound
Abdominal ultrasound is a type of imaging test. It is used to look at organs in the abdomen, including the liver, gallbladder, spleen, pancreas, and...
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CT scan of the abdomen
CT scan of the abdomen
An abdominal CT scan is an imaging method. This test uses x-rays to create cross-sectional pictures of the belly area. CT stands for computed tomog...
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Cystoscopy (examination of the inside of the bladder)
Cystoscopy
Cystoscopy is a surgical procedure. This is done to see the inside of the bladder and urethra using a thin, lighted tube.
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Pyelogram
Pyelogram
An intravenous pyelogram (IVP) is a special x-ray exam of the kidneys, bladder, and ureters (the tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladd...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Radionuclide renal scan
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Voiding cystourethrogram
Voiding cystourethrogram
A voiding cystourethrogram is an x-ray study of the bladder and urethra. It is done while the bladder is emptying.
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Blood pressure may be high if there is kidney damage.
Treatment
Antibiotics are often given to prevent further infections until surgery can be done.
The goal of treatment is to eliminate the blockage. Drains placed in the ureter or renal area (stents) may provide short-term relief of symptoms.
Renal
The term "renal" refers to the kidney. For example, renal failure means kidney failure. Related topics:Kidney diseaseKidney disease - dietKidney fai...
Stents
A stent is a tiny tube placed into a hollow structure in your body. This structure can be an artery, a vein, or another structure, such as the tube ...
Surgery to repair the ureterocele cures the condition in most cases. Your surgeon may cut into the ureterocele. Another surgery may involve removing the ureterocele and reattaching the ureter to the bladder. The type of surgery depends on your age, overall health, and extent of the blockage.
Outlook (Prognosis)
The outcome varies. The damage may be temporary if the blockage can be cured. However, damage to the kidney may be permanent if the condition doesn't go away.
Kidney failure is uncommon. The other kidney will most often work normally.
Possible Complications
Complications may include:
- Long-term bladder damage (urinary retention)
- Long-term kidney damage, including loss of function in one kidney
Kidney damage
Injury to the kidney and ureter is damage to the organs of the upper urinary tract.
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Urinary tract infection that keeps coming back
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Contact your health care provider if you have symptoms of ureterocele.
References
Guay-Woodford LM. Hereditary nephropathies and developmental abnormalities of the urinary tract. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 119.
Stanasel I, Peters CA. Ectopic ureter, ureterocele, and ureteral anomalies. In: Partin AW, Dmochowski RR, Kavoussi LR, Peters CA, eds. Campbell-Walsh-Wein Urology. 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 41.
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Female urinary tract - illustration
The female and male urinary tracts are relatively the same except for the length of the urethra.
Female urinary tract
illustration
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Male urinary tract - illustration
The male and female urinary tracts are relatively the same except for the length of the urethra.
Male urinary tract
illustration
-
Ureterocele - illustration
A ureterocele is a congenital (from birth) disorder in which the ureter develops an out-pouching as it enters the bladder. Treatment of the ureterocele usually involves the placement of a stent to relieve the obstruction and/or surgical repair.
Ureterocele
illustration
-
Female urinary tract - illustration
The female and male urinary tracts are relatively the same except for the length of the urethra.
Female urinary tract
illustration
-
Male urinary tract - illustration
The male and female urinary tracts are relatively the same except for the length of the urethra.
Male urinary tract
illustration
-
Ureterocele - illustration
A ureterocele is a congenital (from birth) disorder in which the ureter develops an out-pouching as it enters the bladder. Treatment of the ureterocele usually involves the placement of a stent to relieve the obstruction and/or surgical repair.
Ureterocele
illustration
Review Date: 7/4/2022
Reviewed By: Kelly L. Stratton, MD, FACS, Associate Professor, Department of Urology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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