Ureterocele

Definition

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

A 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 both left- and right-side ureters.

Large ureteroceles are usually diagnosed earlier than smaller ones. A ureterocele may be discovered before the baby is born (during a pregnancy ultrasound).

Children with this condition often have severe urinary tract infections. Some persons with ureteroceles do not know they have the condition. Often, the diagnosis is made later in life due to kidney stones.

References

Walsh PC. Campbell's Urology. 8th ed. St. Louis, Mo: WB Saunders; 2002:2022-2034. 

Goldman L, Ausiello D. Cecil Textbook of Medicine, 22nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders; 2004:774.