Ureterosciatic Hernia in Focus: A Narrative Review of the Literature

Abstract

Pelvic herniation of the ureter through anatomical musculoskeletal foramina stands out as one of the rarest causes of ureteric obstruction. Historically, most cases have been documented as incidental intraoperative findings. The herniation of the ureter through the sciatic foramen presents as a particularly uncommon variant of this condition, distinguished by its potential to cause life-threatening sepsis or renal failure if not promptly recognized and treated. The diagnostic process remains challenging, attributed partly to the vague initial symptomatology and subtle radiological findings, and second, to the rarity of this condition. This challenge may be further compounded by the lack of a clear description of clinical features and pathways to raise clinician suspicion. In light of these considerations, we conducted this literature review to illuminate this unique cause of obstructive uropathy, aiming to delineate its clinical features and explore common diagnostic and treatment options.