Ureterocele: Review of Presentations, Types, and Coexisting Diseases

Abstract Introduction: Ureterocele is swelling in one of the ureters that carry urine from the kidney to the bladder, which can block urine flow. An ureterocele usually occurs in the lower part of the ureter, where the ureter enters the bladder. Ureteroceles are equally common in both left- and right-side ureters. Some persons with ureteroceles are asymptomatic. Often, the diagnosis is made later in life due to kidney stones. Materials and methods: A systematic review was accomplished using Medline to obtain articles related to ureteroceles in English, Spanish, Italian, and French. Interests were focused on presentations, types and coexisting diseases for ureterocele. Results: Ureterocele can present with urinary tract infection, urinary retention, urinary incontinence, abdominal or loin pain, abdominal or vulvar mass, abdominal distention, hematuria, or vaginal bleeding. We can type the ureteroceles based on its location (ectopic or intravesicle), its association with triplicate system, duplication system, or single system, prenatal or postnatal, pediatric or adult, female or male, and thick or non-thick. The co-existing diseases include ureteral calculus, tumor, and congenital urinary tract abnormalities. Large ureteroceles are usually diagnosed earlier than smaller ones. An ureterocele may be discovered during a pregnancy ultrasound. Children with this condition often have severe urinary tract infections. Conclusions: The review suggests that there are various presentations, types and coexisting diseases for ureteroceles. Findings implicate the importance of considering these variables when making treatment decision in patients with ureteroceles