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Published on: October 12, 2017
Unusual anatomic presentation of ectopic ureteroceles
E Minevich1, A Moayed, J Wacksman
1Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
Insights
Unusual ectopic ureteroceles present unique diagnostic challenges. Surgical exploration is often essential for accurate assessment and successful treatment of these rare congenital anomalies.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Pediatric Surgery
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Ectopic ureteroceles are congenital abnormalities where the ureter enters the bladder outside the normal trigone.
- Unusual presentations can complicate diagnosis and management.
Observation:
- Four pediatric patients with rare ectopic ureterocele anatomies were identified over three years.
- Cases included cloacal anomalies, ureteral diverticuli, renal duplication, and vaginal ectopic ureteroceles.
Findings:
- Preoperative radiological evaluations were insufficient for definitive diagnosis in all cases.
- Surgical exploration or endoscopic evaluation proved crucial for accurate anatomic assessment.
- Intraoperative recognition is vital when preoperative imaging is equivocal.
Implications:
- Highlights the need for a high index of suspicion for unusual ectopic ureteroceles.
- Emphasizes the importance of surgical or endoscopic evaluation for definitive diagnosis.
- Aims to improve management strategies and patient outcomes for rare ectopic ureterocele presentations.
Abstract:
The authors describe four patients with unusual anatomic presentation of ectopic ureteroceles and their surgical treatment. Over a 3-year period, four cases of unusual ectopic ureteroceles were encountered. A 6-month-old girl had a complex cloacal anomaly with an ectopic ureterocele within the cloaca. A 10-year-old boy had two large diverticuli within an ectopic ureterocele combined with a blind-ending ipsilateral ureter. A 3-year-old girl had an ectopic ureterocele combined with a periureteral diverticulum and a completely duplicated ipsilateral kidney. A 4-year-old girl was found to have a vaginal ectopic ureterocele. Despite thorough radiological investigation in all patients, a correct assessment of the anatomic defect was achieved only by surgical exploration or endoscopic evaluation. If preoperative radiological evaluation is equivocal, a high index of suspicion and intraoperative recognition of an unusual anatomic presentation of the ectopic ureterocele are essential for appropriate management and a successful outcome.
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