Ureteroceles vs. pseudoureteroceles in adults. Urographic diagnosis

Simple ureteroceles discovered in adults on excretory urography have long been regarded as congenital anomalies, usually innocuous. Pseudoureteroceles are acquired dilatations of the submucosal portion of the distal ureter that mimic simple ureteroceles. The authors compared 5 pseudoureteroceles and 13 simple ureteroceles and found that the former were distinguished by asymmetry of the dilated ureteral lumen, moderate to severe obstruction of the upper tract, and evidence of an acquired cause such as a calculus or abnormal vesical mucosal pattern. The distinction is important, since most pseudoureteroceles were related to malignancy involving the bladder.