Retrocaval Ureter: Report of 12 Cases and Literature Review
摘要
OBJECTIVE: Retrocaval ureter is a rare congenital anomaly. For clarification of clinical presentations, radiological features, diagnosis, and treatment outcomes, we retrospectively reviewed 12 cases in our hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 1989 to December 2004, 12 cases with retrocaval ureter were treated in our hospital. Their medical records were analyzed, and the relevant literature was reviewed. RESULTS: Among the 12 cases, there were 11 males and 1 female aged 15~71 (mean, 32.3) years. The main clinical features included flank pain in 9 cases (75%) and hematuria in 3 cases (25%). Retrocaval ureter was diagnosed preoperatively by imaging studies in 11 cases (91.7%). All cases received an operation including 1 laparoscopic ureteroureterostomy. Clinical symptoms and hydronephrosis had improved in all patients by 6 months postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: An accurate preoperative diagnosis in most cases with retrocaval ureter can be achieved by imaging studies. Surgical treatment can achieve successful results. A laparosopic ureteroureterostomy is minimally invasive with good convalescence and outcome.