Ureteral obstruction secondary to a patent umbilical artery in a 79-year-old man: a case report

Aberrant blood vessels are a rare cause of ureteral obstruction, with 9 cases having been reported, mostly in children. A 79-year-old man presented with left flank pain. At operation a patent left umbilical artery was partially obstructing the distal left ureter. Partial ureterectomy and ureteroureterostomy provided relief of symptoms. Aberrant blood vessels should be considered in the differential diagnosis of extrinsic distal ureteral obstruction.