The Single Ectopic Ureter and the Dysplastic Kidney

Abstract

Eight children, 3 girls and 5 boys, with single ectopic ureters arising from non-concentrating kidneys are described. Two children, both girls, complained of persistent wetting with a pattern suggestive of ectopic ureter: 2 of the boys presented in the neonatal period with massive abdominal distension: the remaining children developed a urinary infection or chronic urinary retention. Diagnosis depends on an appreciation of the possibility that a non-concentrating kidney on intravenous urography may be giving rise to an ectopic ureter and, in the boys, on a correct interpretation of cystourethrographic findings. Careful endoscopic examination of the urethra and in the girls of the vagina also will lead to the identification of the ectopic ureteric orifice in most cases. When the ectopic ureter joins the male genital tract there may be an extravesical ureterocele which can be recognised cytoscopically. The condition is treated by nephroureterectomy.