Familial occurrence of blind-ending bifid and duplicated ureters

Abstract

Blind-ending bifid ureter in a girl with urinary tract infection, and a blind-ending duplicated ureter in her younger sister are described. The embryology of this rare anomaly is briefly reviewed.

Endoscopic Classification and Endourologic Therapy in Proximal Incomplete Ureteral Duplication Pathology

“…Unilateral duplication occurs about 6 times as often as bilateral duplication, with the right and left sides being affected roughly equally [1]. For parents with duplication the incidence of this anomaly in their offspring increases from the predicted 1 in 125 to 1 in 8 or 1 in nine [2, 3]. …”

US and MDCT Findings in a Caudal Blind Ending Bifid Ureter with Calculi

“…3 Complications related to the blind ending limb often cause the patients to seek medical help which are reflux, infection and calculus formation and compressive symptoms in the adjacent ureter and kidney causing flank pain, dysuria, fever and hematuria. 4 Therefore the condition is diagnosed much later in life especially in the third or the fourth decades.…”

“…4 Therefore the condition is diagnosed much later in life especially in the third or the fourth decades. 2,3 Uroepithelial tumor development is also a possibility therefore family member with the same vague symptoms no matter how old should be screened for the same anomaly as well. 5 …”

“…1,2 This congenital anomaly often goes unnoticed because patients are either asymptomatic or complain of vague abdominal or chronic flank pain. 2,3 Also the anomaly is often missed by the radiologist because presence of a normal collecting system is assumed if uncustomized imaging modalities are used such as standard intravenous urography (IVU) or ultrasound (US).…”

Commentary on Chronic Prostatitis/Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome: The Status Quo Is Not Good Enough (But It Can Be)

“…The exact mechanism of the blind-ending bifid ureter is still unclear [6,7]. The mechanisms described in the literature have been associated with abnormal development of the ureteric bud and failed development of metanephrogenic blastema [8].…”