Ureteral anomalies

[GarryDrold]

Ureteral anomalies frequently occur with renal anomalies but may occur independently. Complications include

Obstruction, vesicoureteral reflux, infection, and calculus formation (due to urinary stasis)
Urinary incontinence (due to abnormal termination of the ureter in the urethra, perineum, or vagina)

Diagnosis of ureteral anomalies may be suggested by abnormalities on routine prenatal ultrasonography (eg, hydronephrosis) and occasionally by physical examination (eg, finding an external ectopic ureteral orifice or a palpable mass). Ureteral anomalies should be suspected in children with an episode of pyelonephritis or recurrent urinary tract infections and in girls with persistent urinary incontinence. Testing typically involves ultrasonography of the kidneys, ureters, and bladder before and after voiding, and then fluoroscopic voiding cystourethrography.
Ureteral anomaly treatments are surgical.