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Published on: October 12, 2017
Functional ureteral obstruction due to complex pelvic venous anomaly
Mirjam Huwyler1, Jurgen K Willmann, Hubert John
1Department of Urology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. Mirjam.Huwyler@insel.ch
Urologia Internationalis
|October 18, 2007
Summary
Pelvic venous anomalies can rarely cause ureteral obstruction. Multi-detector row computed tomography aids in diagnosing these rare extrinsic ureteral obstruction causes.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Radiology
- Vascular Medicine
Background:
- Ureteral obstruction can arise from various causes, including extrinsic compression.
- Retroperitoneal lesions, both benign and malignant, are common considerations.
- Rarely, vascular anomalies can present as a cause of ureteral obstruction.
Observation:
- A case of a 31-year-old woman presenting with right distal ureteral obstruction is detailed.
- The obstruction was caused by a complex pelvic venous anomaly.
- This highlights an unusual etiology for extrinsic ureteral compression.
Findings:
- Pelvic venous anomalies are identified as a rare differential diagnosis for ureteral obstruction.
- Multi-detector row computed tomography (MDCT) demonstrated significant value in visualizing the anomaly.
- Three-dimensional reconstruction capabilities of MDCT were crucial for depicting the complex vascular structure.
Implications:
- Clinicians should consider venous anomalies in the differential diagnosis of extrinsic ureteral obstruction.
- MDCT is a valuable imaging modality for the diagnosis and characterization of venous anomalies causing ureteral issues.
- Understanding these rare causes can improve diagnostic accuracy and patient management.
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