Ureterocele is an abnormality of the bladder characterized by a swelling of the distal ureter where it connects to the bladder. It is a congenital condition that can cause recurrent urinary tract infections and urine retention. Treatment may include surgery.
A ureterocele is an abnormality of the bladder. The medical condition may also be referred to as a ureterocele. This is often characterized by a swelling of the distal ureter where it connects to the bladder. The balloon creates a bag that can collect urine instead of passing it into the bladder.
In many cases, a ureterocele occurs when two ureters drain a kidney into the bladder. Only 20% of all cases occur in patients with a ureter. These cases are referred to as simple ureteroceles. Approximately one in 4,000 people are diagnosed with ureterocele, and 80% of these patients are female.
A ureterocele is a congenital condition, meaning that babies are usually born with the abnormality. In some cases, the condition can be diagnosed in utero with ultrasound. If symptoms, such as frequent urinary tract infections, occur in childhood or adulthood and no previous diagnosis has been made, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) may be used for the diagnosis ).
There are six classifications of ureterocele, including intravesical, ectopic, and stenotic. The remaining three classifications are sphincteric, sphincterostenotic, and cecoureterocele.
Intravesical — A ureterocele limited to within the bladder.
Ectopic: May extend outside the bladder to the urethra and bladder neck.
Stenotic — Restricted within the bladder but characterized by a narrow opening.
Sphincteric — Ectopic ureterocele with opening at the end of the bladder neck.
Sphincterostenotic — A ureterocele with a narrow opening located at the end of the bladder neck.
Cecoureterocele — Extensive ectopic ureterocele into the urethra. The opening is in the bladder.
The most common symptoms of ureterocele can include recurrent urinary tract infections, ascending urinary tract infection, and urine retention. Patients may also suffer from recurring abdominal pain and painful kidney stones due to increased collection of uric acid particles.
The causes of ureterocele have not been determined. The condition typically occurs in the uterus during abdominal and bladder development. The researchers didn’t link it to genetics, but there have been reports of siblings being born with ureteroceles. The Caucasian population is more likely to suffer from ureterocele than other groups of people.
Treatment of ureterocele may include surgery. If a single ureter is causing symptoms, endoscopic surgery may be used to properly connect the kidney to the bladder. In the more common cases where two ureters are present, endoscopic surgery may also be indicated. Other medical treatments may include upper pole nephrectomy or ureteropyelostomy.
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