Inflammatory diseases of the Ureter

Zachary Dovey, Adriana M. Pedraza, Dhruti Patel, Swati Bhardwaj, Vinayak Wagaskar, Raghav Gupta, Akash Shah, Ashutosh Tewari

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

Abstract

There are multiple possible disease pathologies that can result in inflammation of the ureters. These include the presence of an infectious organism in the urine, hematogenous spread of infection from a distant site, and even direct infiltration from adjacent pelvic and/or abdominal viscera. Ureteral involvement, however, is most commonly caused by a secondary problem related to an existing pathology in the kidney (i.e. stone, pyelonephritis, malakoplakia, etc.), bladder, or uterus (endometriosis). It can also be caused by systemic auto-immune or inflammatory conditions such as amyloidosis or retroperitoneal soft tissue fibrosis. The ureter responds to inflammation by loss of contraction and hypotonia, mural thickening by edema and cell infiltration, ulceration, pseudo-diverticula formation, cystic degeneration, and desmoplastic reaction leading to narrowing and obstruction. Intravenous and retrograde pyelography, cystography, ultrasound, and computed tomography (CT) scanning are the main contributory imaging methods used in the diagnosis of the underlying cause. Ureteroscopy is also a handy tool used for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Treatment of ureteral lesions should be done promptly so as to avoid deleterious effects on the renal parenchyma and ureteral wall. Here we present some of the common and uncommon inflammatory conditions of the ureter which require a clinician to maintain a high threshold of suspicion to enable rapid diagnosis and appropriate effective treatment.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationThe Ureter
Subtitle of host publicationA Comprehensive Review
PublisherSpringer International Publishing
Pages221-242
Number of pages22
ISBN (Electronic)9783031362125
ISBN (Print)9783031362118
DOIs
StatePublished - 24 Jan 2024

Keywords

  • Amyloidosis
  • Endometriosis
  • Hydronephrosis
  • Retroperitoneal fibrosis
  • Ureter
  • Ureteral inflammation
  • Ureteritis cystica

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