Difficult urethral catheterization due to ectopic ureter: an unusual presentation of ureteral ectopia in a man

We report the unusual presentation of an ectopic ureter in a man with a solitary kidney. The presenting symptom was the inability to place a Foley catheter into the bladder because of preferential passage into the ectopic ureteral opening in the prostatic urethra. Flexible cystoscopy was helpful in diagnosis and management of the problem. The differential diagnosis of a difficult urethral catheterization should include occult congenital genitourinary anomalies.