Ureterocele

Whole-Body MRI to Monitor for Ureterocele Indicators

A ureterocele is a congenital abnormality found in the ureter. It is when the distal(lower) ureter is enlarged where it enters into the bladder forming a sac-like pouch. It is commonly associated with a duplex collecting system. This is when two ureters exit one kidney. However, it can occur with a normal collecting system.As prenatal ultrasound has become a regular exam most ureteroceles are diagnosed prenatally.There are six classifications of ureteroceles:- Intravesical: confined within the bladder- Ectopic: some part extends to the bladder neck or urethra- Stenotic: intravesical ureterocele with a narrow opening- Sphincteric: ectopic ureterocele with an orifice distal to the bladder neck- Sphincterostenotic: orifice is both stenotic and distal to te bladder neck- Cecoureterocele: ectopic ureterocele that extends into the urethra, but the orifice is in the bladder.