Hutch diverticulum: from embryology to clinical practice

Hutch Diverticulum (HD) is defined as the protrusion of the mucosal and submucosal layer through the muscle bundles of the underlying detrusor muscle. HD is located at the vesicoureteral junction with a backward direction from the homolateral ureteral orifice. As far as its etiology is concerned, HD is caused either by a congenital muscle wall defect at the level where the Waldeyer's fascia occupies the clefts between the vesical part of the homolateral ureter and the detrusor, or is associated with abortive ureteral duplication or defective incorporation of mesonephric duct into the bladder at the site of ureteral hiatus or finally is associated with the development of transient urethral obstruction. HD is usually unilateral and more common in male patients. It may be associated with the Ehlers-Danlos, Williams-Elfin and Menkes syndromes. HD usually occurs in childhood and rarely during adulthood. It is found in 0.2-13% of all children presenting with urinary tract infection. Through this short review article, we attempt to present in detail the most recent bibliographic data concerning this entity, focusing on pathophysiology, diagnostic approach, and treatment strategy.