Learn About Ureterocele
A 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.
Incontinence - ureterocele
A ureterocele occurs in the lower part of the ureter, where it 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 which may damage the kidney.
Ureteroceles occur in about 1 in 500 people. This condition is equally common in both the left and right ureters.
Most people with ureteroceles do not have any symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they may include:
- Abdominal pain
- Back pain that may be only on one side
- Severe side (flank) pain and spasms that may reach to the groin, genitals, and thigh
- Blood in the urine
- Burning pain while urinating (dysuria)
- Fever
- Difficulty starting urine flow or slowing of urine flow
- Urinary tract infection
Some other symptoms are:
- Foul-smelling urine
- Frequent and urgent urination
- Lump (mass) in the abdomen that can be felt
- Ureterocele tissue falls down (prolapse) through the female urethra and into the vagina
- Urinary incontinence
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.
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.
Loyola University Medical Center
Gopal Gupta is an Urologist in Melrose Park, Illinois. Dr. Gupta and is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Ureterocele. His top areas of expertise are Chromophobe Renal Cell Carcinoma, Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC), Prostate Cancer, Nephrectomy, and Cystectomy. Dr. Gupta is currently accepting new patients.
Children's Surgical Associates Ltd
Arun Srinivasan is an Urologist in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Dr. Srinivasan and is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Ureterocele. His top areas of expertise are Ureterocele, Hypospadias, UPJ Obstruction, Endoscopy, and Orchiectomy.
Aseem Shukla is an Urologist in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Dr. Shukla and is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Ureterocele. His top areas of expertise are Ureterocele, Exstrophy of the Bladder, Cloacal Exstrophy, Orchiectomy, and Endoscopy.
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.
Complications may include:
- Long-term bladder damage (urinary retention)
- Long-term kidney damage, including loss of function in one kidney
- Urinary tract infection that keeps coming back
Contact your health care provider if you have symptoms of ureterocele.
Summary: The purpose of this study is to use the Shuotong ureteroscopy for surgical treatment of patients with upper urinary tract stones, taking advantage of the fact that the Shuotong mirror can be used for simultaneous lithotripsy and stone removal, thus maximizing the discharge of stones from the body and improving the stone removal rate.
Published Date: September 02, 2024
Published 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.
Guay-Woodford LM. Hereditary nephropathies and developmental renal/urinary abnormalities. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 113.
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.