Ureteral Duplication Research Articles

Modified Extravesical Ureteroneocystostomy in Cadaveric Kidney Transplantation with Completely Duplicated Ureters: A Case Report

Completely duplicated ureters are not commonly used in renal transplantation due to increased risk of postoperative complications, such as urinary tract infections, stricture, reflux and urinary leakage. Although recent results have indicated that the occurrence of these complications is similar to that of a single ureter, few reports exist of renal transplantations of kidneys with ureteral duplication. Here, we report successful renal transplantation of a cadaveric kidney with completely duplicated ureters to a 52-year-old final stage renal disease patient who had been on dialysis for 19 years. A modified extravesical ureteroneocystostomy technique was employed, in which distal ureteric ends were spatulated and their medial edges were approximated. Double-j stent catheters were inserted during the ureteroneocystostomy and removed after 21 days when progressive serum creatine levels had decreased. During 6 months following the operation so far, no urinary tract infections, hydronephrosis, pyelonephritis, stricture, or reflux was reported. We conclude that modified extravesical ureteroneocystostomy, a newly described technique is suitable for the transplantation of a cadaveric kidney with complete ureteral duplication.

Hydronephrosis in children

Hydronephrosis is a common illness in children and consists in the dilatation of the renal collector system. It may be congenital, and in this case is called fetal hydronephrosis, or it can be acquired, which is less frequent. The fetal hydronephrosis may be diagnosed during the intrauterine life through obstetric ultrasound. Mild to moderate dilatations may resolve spontaneously before or after birth. However, larger dilatations can be causes of urinary tract infection, damage to the renal parenchyma, and may require surgical treatment. The main causes of persistent fetal hydronephrosis after birth are ureteropelvic junction stenosis, vesicoureteral reflux, ureterovesical junction stenosis, ureteric duplication associated or not with ureterocele, and posterior urethra valve. In relation to the acquired hydronephrosis, the most common etiology is the angulation of the proximal ureter resulting from an anomalous polar vessel; however, it can also be due to ureterolithiasis, which is uncommon. In these cases, the hydronephrosis is usually diagnosed as the result of propaedeutics of chronic recurrent abdominal pain in older children. The initial conduct in cases of fetal hydronephrosis, shortly after birth, is the use of urinary tract ultrasound to confirm and classify the degree of hydronephrosis. The ultrasound findings will assist to decide if it is necessary to extend the propaedeutics or maintain a waiting conduct. The follow-up by a nephrologist and pediatric-surgeon in the subsequent treatment of these children is

Bilateral double ureters with bladder neck diverticulum in a nigerian woman masquerading as an obstetric fistula.

A 43-year-old woman presented with 20-year history of leakage of urine per vaginam. She had one failed repair attempt. Pelvic examination with dye test showed leakage of clear urine suggestive of ureterovaginal fistula. The preoperative intravenous urogram revealed duplex ureter and cystoscopy showed normally cited ureteric orifices with two other ectopic ureteric openings and bladder diverticula. The definitive surgery performed was ureteric reimplantation (ureteroneocystostomy) of the two distal ureteric to 2 cm superiolateral to the two normal orifices and diverticuloplasty. There was resolution of urinary incontinence after surgery. Three months after surgery, she had urodynamic testing done (cystometry), which showed 220 mLs with no signs of instability or leakage during filling phase but leaked on coughing at maximal bladder capacity. This is to showcase some diagnostic dilemma that could arise with obstetric fistula, which is generally diagnosed by clinical assessment.

Kidney Transplant Grafts With Complete Ureteral Duplication

To evaluate the outcome of renal transplants using donor grafts with complete ureteral duplication. Between 1999 and 2011, we performed 1368 kidney transplant procedures, including 87 dual kidney transplants. There were 12 transplants with donor kidneys that had complete ureteral duplication, including 2 patients who had grafts with ureteral duplication that were used to perform a dual kidney transplant. In 11 patients with ureteral duplication, the 2 ureters were anastomosed separately to the bladder with a double Lich-Gregoir technique; in 1 patient, a ureteroureteral terminolateral anastomosis and single ureteroneocystostomy were performed. Urinary tract infections were noted during the first year after transplant in 7 patients (58%) that had kidney grafts with duplicated ureters (4 patients with 1 infection each; 3 patients with 2 infections each), but none developed pyelonephritis, functional impairment, or graft loss. There were no other urologic or renal complications observed in recipients of grafts with ureteral duplication. Donor kidneys with ureteral duplication may be used in renal transplant. The double Lich-Gregoir technique may provide excellent results.

Epidemiological urinalysis of children from kindergartens of Can Gio, Ho Chi Minh City - Vietnam

BackgroundRecent studies on Vietnamese children have shown that kidney diseases are not detected early enough to prevent chronic renal failure. The dipstick test is a simple and useful tool for detecting urinary abnormalities, especially in isolated or remote areas of Vietnam, where children have limited access to health care.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted in 2011 at seven kindergartens in Can Gio district, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Two thousand and twelve children, aged 3 to 5, were enrolled. Morning mid-stream urine samples were examined by dipstick. Children with abnormal findings were re-examined with a second dipstick and underwent further investigations.ResultsUrinalysis was available for 1,032 boys and 980 girls. Mean age was 4.4 ± 0.8 years. Urinary abnormalities were detected in 108 (5.5%) of the subjects. Among them, nitrituria and leucocyturia accounted for more than 50%. Positive fractions of proteinuria, hematuria, nitrituria, leucocyturia, and combined nitrituria and leucocyturia after two dipsticks were 0.1%, 0.1%, 2%, 1% and 0.3%, respectively. Abnormal findings were more common in girls than boys (p < 0.001), and higher in communes with very low (< 50 persons/km2) population density (14.3% vs 4.1%, p < 0.001). A renal ultrasound detected four cases of hydronephrosis and one case of duplication of ureter.ConclusionsThe prevalence of urinary abnormalities in asymptomatic children in South Vietnam demonstrates the need for hygiene education among parents. Training for dipstick usage for all medical staff at health stations, especially in remote areas and in places with very low population density, is also clearly necessary. Routine urinalysis can be set up if a close control is conducted at locations.

Supernumerary kidney laparoscopically treated

Congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract are part of a family of diseases with different anatomical origins. Duplicated collecting systems can be defined as a renal unit containing 2 pyelocalyceal systems associated with a single ureter or with double ureters. The supernumerary kidney is a definitive accessory organ with its own collecting system, blood supply, and distinct encapsulated parenchima. The true incidence of supernumerary kidney remains unknown, but most cases are in males, are unilateral and on the left side. We present a case of an adult woman with a hypoplastic supernumerary kidney with a complete ureteral duplication and an ectopic junction. The case has been laparoscopically treated. We demonstrate that a laparoscopic nephro-ureterectomy is feasible and that the management of the complication (urinoma and fistula) can be managed conservatively.

Duplicated Ureters and Renal Transplantation: A Case-Control Study and Review of the Literature

IntroductionComplications of the transplant ureter are the most important cause of surgical morbidity after renal transplantation. The presence of ureteral duplication in the renal graft might result in an increased complication rate. We analyzed our data of double-ureter renal transplantations using a case-control study design. Additionally, we performed a review of the literature. MethodsFrom January 1995 to April 2012, 12 patients received a donor kidney with a double ureter (0.8%). We created a control group of 24 patients matched in age, sex, donor type, and ureteral stenting. Patient charts and surgical reports were reviewed retrospectively. ResultsIn 7 patients both ureters were separately anastomosed to the bladder. In 4 patients a common ostium was created. In 1 patient 1 of the 2 ureters was ligated. No postoperative urologic complications occured. In the single-ureter group, the urologic complication rate was 17% (P = .71). Mean creatinine levels after transplantation were comparable between both groups. DiscussionA double-ureter donor kidney is not associated with an increased complication rate after renal transplantation and yields equal outcomes as compared to single-ureter donor kidneys. We conclude that transplantation of a kidney with a duplicated ureter is safe.

Single-stage surgical approach in complicated paediatric ureteral duplication: surgical and functional outcome

Surgical approach to children with complicated ureteral duplication is discussed controversially. Our aim was to determine the outcome of children with complicated renal duplication undergoing a single-stage surgical approach with laparoscopic partial nephrectomy and open bladder reconstruction. Data of patients from 2004 to 2008 were investigated retrospectively. Outcome was analyzed in terms of postoperative course, renal function, urinary tract infection and functional voiding. Thirteen patients were treated with laparoscopic partial nephrectomy and reconstruction of the lower urinary tract in a single-stage approach. Median age at operation was 15 months (2-63 m). One girl had a renal triplication. 7/13 patients presented with an ectopic ureterocele, two with an ectopic ureter, severe vesicoureteral reflux occurred in 6 patients. All patients had non-functioning renal moieties. Mean operative time was 239 min (129-309; SD 50). One re-operation was necessary 4 years after primary surgery due to a pole remnant. All patients had uneventful recoveries without evidence of recurrent UTI. Postoperative 99mTc-MAG3 scans showed no significant reduction of partial renal function (p = 0.4), and no signs of obstruction (p = 0.188). During a median follow-up of 60 months (49-86), dysfunctional voiding occurred in one patient. In children with complicated ureteral duplication a definitive single-stage procedure is feasible and shows excellent functional results.

Ureteral Quintuplication With Renal Atrophy in an Infant After the 1986 Chernobyl Nuclear Disaster

Ureteral duplication is a comparatively frequent urinary tract anomaly. Ureteral triplication is rare, but quadruplication is extremely rare. In this study, we describe a case of ureteral quintuplication, the first such report in the English-language literature. A newborn female baby was diagnosed with left ureteral quintuplication. The left ureter was divided into 5 ureters with 5 renal pelvises within approximately 3cm of the urinary bladder, and trace parenchyma of the kidney was noted. The patient was born within 60km of the epicenter of the 1986 Chernobyl disaster, 24years after the catastrophic nuclear accident, and is currently aged 3years.

Intractable Diarrhea and a Paravertebral Mass

A 14-month-old girl presented with 6 months of episodic severe diarrhea. Inpatient care for parenteral rehydration and correction of severe hypokalemia was necessary. Routine ultrasound investigation of the abdomen revealed a paravertebral, left-sided mass (Fig. 1). Neuroblastoma was suspected, and magnetic resonance imaging confirmed a solid, calcified tumor located paravertebral near the inferior renal pole. Serum levels of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) were extremely elevated (679.5 pg/mL, normal 10–60 pg/mL). After complete resection of the solid tumor (Fig. 2), the girl showed prompt recovery and immediate cessation of diarrhea. Postoperative serum VIP levels returned to normal (18.9 pg/mL). Histology revealed ganglioneuroblastoma with intracellular staining of chromogranin A as a sign of neuroendocrine activity (Fig. 3).FIGURE 1: Abdominal ultrasonography: solid tumor adjacent to the inferior pole of the left kidney.FIGURE 2: Intraoperative view: the whitish and solid tumor is located to the right of the inferior renal pole. The double ureter is marked by yellow vessel loops.FIGURE 3: Immunohistochemical imaging of chromogranin A, appearing as bronze granula in the cytoplasm of tumor cells.Persistent diarrhea in childhood can be the result of paraneoplastic secretion of VIP. This secretory diarrhea leads to extensive electrolyte loss. In contrast to pancreatic VIPomas in adults, VIP-secreting tumors in children are usually of neuroblastic origin, containing ganglioneuroblastoma, ganglioneuroma, neuroblastoma, pheochromocytoma, and neurofibroma (1–4). VIP secretion in these tumors is associated with a favorable outcome of treatment (5,6). Routine use of ultrasound in severe diarrhea led to the diagnosis of a VIP-secreting tumor in our patient. Complete tumor resection is the therapeutic strategy of choice.

Hidden problem in an elderly woman with repeated urinary tract infection: Giant megaureters resulting from a ‘yo‐yo’ phenomenon

An incomplete‐type ureteral duplication (IUD) is a congenital anomaly, and is usually found incidentally on imaging findings in children. Clinically, a marked megaureter is caused by a long‐term ‘yo‐yo’ phenomenon in IUD, and is a rare, initial suspicion in elderly people, especially when manifested through repeated urinary tract infections (UTI). We report on a 67‐year‐old woman who suffered from repeated UTI and left flank pain. IUD with marked megaureters resulting from the ‘yo‐yo’ phenomenon was diagnosed by a series of imaging studies. The symptoms were successfully relieved by tapering and reimplantation of the dilated ureters. Finally, we emphasize a paradoxical phenomenon in the interpretation of the effective renal plasma flow study, even if this means correcting for the pitfalls of the examination itself.

Unilateral complete ureteral duplication with distal ureteral stone: A rare entity

Complete duplex ureters opening separately into the urinary bladder is extremely rare; they can be embryologically explained as a development of two ureteral buds separately from a single mesonephric duct. We describe a case of unilateral complete ureteral duplication with distally localized ureteral stone in a 49-year-old male who presented with right flank pain.

Postpartum vaginal cystic lesions: everyday practice or a differential diagnosis challenge?

Postpartum vaginal cystic lesions constitute a common situation that is caused either by inflammation or by accumulation of lymph. We report a case of a 33-year-old woman who had bilateral duplication of the pelvicalyceal system and ureter, and after the labor of her second child, she had one ureter prolapse into the vagina after initially appearing as a cystic lesion. Ureteral duplication is the most common renal abnormality, occurring in approximately 1% of the population and in 10% of children who are diagnosed with urinary tract infections. In our case we consider possible that this clinical situation was a result of a combination of postpartum pelvic floor trauma and prolapse of the ureter. There are only several of these cases in the literature where ureter prolapse is associated and complicated by pelvic floor trauma caused during or after labor. The clinical approach of the cystic lesions located in the vagina during the postpartum period should include a meticulous examination of the urinary system before any other medical practice.

Is intraoperative surgeon's opinion an accurate tool to assess the outcome of endoscopic treatment for vesicoureteral reflux?

ObjectiveOur experience in the endoscopic treatment of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) has significantly increased during the last decade. To help develop diagnostic tests to check the success of this procedure, we evaluated the accuracy of surgeons' intraoperative observations as a predictor of treatment results. MethodWe performed a prospective study of patients with VUR who were endoscopically treated during 1 year (106 renal units). Patients' age and gender, laterality, material used, grade of reflux, presence of ureteral duplication or associated pathology, and morphology of ureteral orifice were recorded as predictive factors related to the success rate. Surgeon and assistant indicated at the end of the endoscopic procedure whether the VUR was cured or not for each renal unit. These estimations were compared with postoperative voiding cystourethrogram results. ResultsOverall cure rate was 75.5%. Positive predictive value (PPV) for surgeon's opinion was 0.79 and negative predictive value (NPV) was 0.40. Statistical analysis demonstrated that the association between the surgeon's opinion and the cure rate was low with a Kappa value of 0.171 (p = 0.30). PPV of assistant's opinion was 0.80 and NPV was 0.40, with a Kappa value of 0.2 (p = 0.13). Concordance of surgeon and assistant's opinion resulted in PPV of 0.79 and NPV of 0.53 (Kappa = 0.261). Kappa value did not improve when surgeon's opinion was related to other factors such as the material employed, grade of reflux, presence of ureteral duplication or associated pathology and morphology of the ureteral orifice. ConclusionIn our experience, surgeon's opinion is not an accurate tool to predict the outcome of endoscopic treatment of VUR.

Écoulement urinaire chez la fille : quelle imagerie en 2012 ?

Continuous urinary leakage, despite normal deliberate voiding, must suggest the diagnosis of ectopic ureter, more specifically in girls. Ectopic ureter is usually associated with duplex kidney and complete ureteral duplication. The strategy of investigations has changed over the past few years, due to MRI development in the analysis of urinary tract malformations. We report the case of a 4-year-old girl who presented with these symptoms and had a suspicion of left duplex kidney on the prenatal ultrasonography (US). Two US examinations during the first months of life were compatible with a left duplex kidney without any complication. Another US at the age of 4 years was reported as normal. We completed the investigation with MR urography, which revealed a left duplex kidney with a poorly functioning dysplastic upper pole, and the orifice of the ureter of this upper pole inserting in the vagina. The surgical treatment, realized by celioscopy, was partial nephrectomy of the upper pole, removing most of the ectopic ureter. US is the first exam to investigate urinary tract malformations. However, duplex kidney with small dysplastic pole and ectopic insertion of a nondilated ureter may be difficult to see, and a normal US should never end the investigations. Intravenous urography and renal scintigraphy used to be the reference complementary exams, but are now replaced by MR urography. Without using ionizing radiation, MR urography can visualize duplex kidney and ectopic ureteral insertion with high resolution, and evaluates renal function of each kidney and each pole. These morphological and functional data are essential to determine the surgical treatment.

English

Double ureter is a result of premature division of the ureteric bud. The ureters may join in the lower third of their course and open through a common orifice into the bladder. If they open independently into the bladder, the ureter draining the upper pelvis opens into the bladder below the opening of the other ureter. Patients with double ureter or double pelvis are more likely to develop urinary infection and calculi.

Duplicated ectopic ureter in a nine‐year‐old Labrador

A nine-year-old male neutered Labrador retriever presented with a history of chronic urinary tract infections and occasional dribbling of urine. Abdominal ultrasound showed changes suggestive of a left ectopic ureter. A pneumocystogram revealed an air-filled distended tubular and tortuous structure extending from the region of the prostatic urethra to the left kidney, consistent with an ectopic ureter. Intravenous urography depicted the presence of an additional left ureter with only slightly larger diameter than the right and with normal insertion in the bladder neck. A duplicated ectopic left ureter was suspected and confirmed during surgery. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first description of a duplicated ectopic ureter in the canine species. The combination of ultrasound and contrast radiography was important to reach the diagnosis.

Long-term Result in Ureteroneocystostomy for Complete Duplicated Ureters in Renal Transplantation

Duplicated ureters are the most common congenital malformation of the upper urinary tract, but there are few reports on the transplantation of kidneys with duplicated ureters. We introduce different techniques for the ureteroneocystostomy of double ureters and long-term results. We specifically detail the experience of two patients with duplicated ureters at Bong Seng Memorial Hospital from March 1995 to May 2012. In our first case, the top technique of spatulating and suturing duplicated ureters was applied with the bottom technique for double ureteroneocystostomy. The operation time was 4 hours and 45 minutes, while the ureteroneocystostomy took 32 minutes. In the second case a double-armed 4.0 Vicryl suture was placed on each tip of the ureter and both needles passed from the inside out through the bladder wall. The ureters were pulled into the bladder and the suture was tied on the serosa of the bladder. The operation time was 3 hours and 50 minutes, while the ureteroneocystostomy took 15 minutes. Neither urological complications nor urinary tract infections were observed in the follow-up period and no double-J stent was needed. We therefore conclude that these two techniques are available procedures for handling duplicated ureters, with the technique applied in the second case particularly time-effective.

Robotic-assisted laparoscopic approach in the treatment for Zinner’s Syndrome associated with ipsilateral megaureter and incomplete double-crossed ectopic ureter

To report a rare congenital anomaly of the genitourinary tract, renal dysplasia is associated with ipsilateral incomplete duplicated ectopic ureter and seminal vesicle cyst in an adult, successfully treated with robotic-assisted laparoscopic approach.

A new classification of duplex kidney based on kidney morphology and management

Background The initial classic classification of duplex kidney into complete (two ureters) and incomplete (“Y” shaped ureter) types are based on the ureter status. At the meantime, the features of the upper and lower moieties of duplex kidney were very crucial for appropriate procedure of hemi-nephrectomy, which was most commonly used for addressing the issues caused by a duplex kidney; and recently more applications of laparoscopy were used. In this study, we aimed prudently to propose a new classification based on the features of the upper and lower moieties of duplex kidney. Methods Sixty-five children with 83 duplex kidneys were reviewed retrospectively. Based on kidney morphology found in CT urography and surgical findings, duplex kidney was classified into five types. Results The first was the appendant type (36/83) and its feature was that the mini upper moiety was located on top of the lower one, with a visualized shallow groove between them. The ureter was dilated with an ectopic orifice or ureterocele. The second was the embedded type (13/83), the feature of which was that mini upper moiety located in the interior top of the lower one within the same capsule. The upper ureter was dilated with an ectopic orifice or ureterocele. The third was the hydronephrosis type (12/83). The severe hydronephrotic upper moiety was almost as big as the lower moiety. The upper ureter was severely dilated and circuitous with an ectopic orifice. The forth was the dual-poor type (2/83). The two moieties were all very small with “Y” shaped ureters and ectopic orifices. The last was the dual-well type (20/83). The upper moiety was almost the same size as the lower one, without apparent dilation of “Y” shaped or double ureters. Conclusion Based on kidney morphology, duplex kidney can be mainly classified into five types which can be depicted by CT urography prior to management and can provide an aid in selecting a successful course of surgical correction.