Low ureteral obstruction caused by umbilical ligament in a 37 year old man: a case report

Arterial vascular anomalies rarely cause extrinsic ureteral obstruction and only 11 cases have been reported so far. This paper deals with an unusual extrinsic obstruction of the left ureter caused by a residue of the umbilical artery in a 37 years old man. The patient had left flank pain due to serious hydronephrosis on the same side. At operation a fibrous cord, a residue of the left umbilical artery, partially obstructed the distal left ureter. Partial left terminal ureterectomy with ureteroneocystostomy was performed. In the differential diagnosis of low extrinsic ureteral obstructions also the uncommon vascular anomalies of the umbilical artery should be taken into consideration.