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. 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.
Most people with ureteroceles do not have any symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they may include:
Some other symptoms are:
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.
Yong Lee practices in Songnam, Republic of Korea. Lee is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Ureterocele. They are also highly rated in 8 other conditions, according to our data. Their top areas of expertise are Ureterocele, UPJ Obstruction, Hydronephrosis, Prostatectomy, and Cystectomy.
Aseem Shukla is an Urologist in Exton, Pennsylvania. Shukla has been practicing medicine for over 28 years and is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Ureterocele. He is also highly rated in 10 other conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Exstrophy of the Bladder, Ureterocele, UPJ Obstruction, Hypospadias, and Endoscopy. Shukla is currently accepting new patients.
Martin Kaefer is an Urologist in Indianapolis, Indiana. Kaefer has been practicing medicine for over 34 years and is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Ureterocele. He is also highly rated in 18 other conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Ureterocele, Bladder Stones, Exstrophy of the Bladder, Orchiectomy, and Endoscopy. Kaefer is currently accepting new patients.
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:
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: July 04, 2022
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 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.