A ureterocele is swelling in one of the tubes (ureters) that carry urine from the kidney to the bladder. The swelling can block urine flow.
A ureterocele is a birth defect.
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsA ureterocele occurs in the lower part of the ureter, where the tube enters the bladder. The swelling prevents urine from moving freely into the bladder. The urine collects in the ureter and stretches its walls, blowing it up like a water balloon.
Ureteroceles occur in about 1 in 500 to 1 in 4,000 people. Caucasians are most likely to be affected. Ureteroceles are equally common in left- and right-side ureters.
SymptomsLarge ureteroceles are usually diagnosed earlier than smaller ones. A ureterocele may be discovered before the baby is born (during a pregnancy ultrasound).
Some people with ureteroceles do not know they have the condition. Often, the diagnosis is made later in life due to kidney stones.
A urinalysis may reveal blood in the urine or signs of urinary tract infection.
The following tests may be performed:
Blood pressuremay be high if there is kidney damage.
TreatmentAntibiotics such as ampicillin or Bactrim are usually given to prevent further infections until surgery can be done.
The goal of treatment is to get rid of the blockage. Drains placed in the ureter or renal area (stents) may provide short-term relief of symptoms.
Surgery to repair the ureterocele usually cures the condition. Surgery involves making a cut into the ureterocele ("popping the water balloon") or removing the ureterocele and reattaching the ureter to the bladder. Which surgery is performed depends on the severity of the blockage.
Expectations (prognosis)The outcome varies. If the obstruction can be cured, the damage may be temporary. However, damage to the kidney may be permanent, especially if the condition doesn't go away.
Kidney failure is uncommon because the other kidney usually continues to work as normal.
ComplicationsCall your health care provider if you have symptoms of ureterocele.
ReferencesSchlussel RN, Retik AB. Ectopic ureter, ureterocele, and other anomalies of the ureter. In: Wein AJ, ed. Campbell-Walsh Urology. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 116.
Guay-Woodford LM. Hereditary nephropathies and abnormalities of the urinary tract. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 129.
A ureterocele is a swelling at the bottom of one of the tubes (ureters) that carry urine from the kidney to the bladder. The swollen area can block urine flow.
A ureterocele is a birth defect.
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsA ureterocele occurs in the lower part of the ureter, where the tube enters the bladder. The swollen area prevents urine from moving freely into the bladder. The urine collects in the ureter and stretches its walls, blowing it up 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 to 1 in 4,000 people. Caucasians are most likely to be affected. Ureteroceles are equally common in left- and right-side ureters.
SymptomsLarge ureteroceles are usually diagnosed earlier than smaller ones. A ureterocele may be discovered before the baby is born (during a pregnancy ultrasound).
Some people with ureteroceles do not know they have the condition. Often, the diagnosis is made later in life due to kidney stones or infection.
A urinalysis may reveal blood in the urine or signs of urinary tract infection.
The following tests may be performed:
Blood pressure may be high if there is kidney damage.
TreatmentAntibiotics are usually given to prevent further infections until surgery can be done.
The goal of treatment is to get rid of the blockage. Drains placed in the ureter or renal area (stents) may provide short-term relief of symptoms.
Surgery to repair the ureterocele usually cures the condition. Surgery involves making a cut into the ureterocele or removing the ureterocele and reattaching the ureter to the bladder. Which surgery is performed depends on the severity of the blockage.
Expectations (prognosis)The outcome varies. If the obstruction can be cured, the damage may be temporary. However, damage to the kidney may be permanent, especially if the condition doesn't go away.
Kidney failure is uncommon because the other kidney usually continues to work as normal.
ComplicationsCall your health care provider if you have symptoms of ureterocele.
ReferencesSchlussel RN, Retik AB. Ectopic ureter, ureterocele, and other anomalies of the ureter. In: Wein AJ, ed. Campbell-Walsh Urology. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 116.
Guay-Woodford LM. Hereditary nephropathies and abnormalities of the urinary tract. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 129.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 09/03/2010
David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; Scott Miller, MD, Urologist in private practice in Atlanta, Georgia. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
'Ureterocele' IS the medical term for herniation of the ureter.
Ureterocele
The medical term for ureter dilation is hydroureter. This condition refers to the abnormal widening of the ureter, typically due to blockage or obstruction. Treatment may involve addressing the underlying cause to relieve the dilation.
Hydroureterosis defines the swelling of one or both ureters. The ureters are tube-like structures that drain urine from the kidney to the bladder. Hydroureterosis may result from an obstruction of the urinary system either at the end of the ureter (see "ureterocele") or past the ureter (bladder, urethra, penis/vagina). Another cause of hydroureterosis may be vesicoureteral reflux. This is an anatomical problem resulting in urine flushing backwards from the bladder through the ureters and towards the kidneys, instead of out through the urethra when one attempts to urinate.
Cystocele is the term meaning hernia of the bladder.Hernia of urinary bladder is known as sliding hernia. This hernia occurs when an organ drags along part of peritoneum,or ,in other words,the organ is a part of the hernia sac.The colon and urinary bladder are often involved. the term also frequently refers to sliding hernia of the stomach.