Duplicated ureter

Duplicated ureter is a congenital condition where a kidney has two ureters, instead of one. This condition is also known as ureteral duplication. It can occur in one or both kidneys. The duplicated ureters can either be completely separate from each other (complete duplication) or can fuse together before entering the bladder (partial duplication).

Causes

The exact cause of duplicated ureter is unknown. However, it is believed to occur during the early stages of fetal development. It is not associated with any known genetic conditions or environmental factors.

Symptoms

In many cases, duplicated ureter does not cause any symptoms and is discovered incidentally during imaging tests for other conditions. However, in some cases, it can lead to urinary tract infections, incontinence, or kidney damage.

Diagnosis

Duplicated ureter is usually diagnosed through imaging tests such as ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI. In some cases, a special dye may be used to highlight the urinary tract on the images.

Treatment

Treatment for duplicated ureter depends on whether it is causing symptoms or complications. If it is not causing any problems, no treatment may be necessary. If it is causing symptoms or complications, treatment options may include antibiotics for infections, surgery to repair the ureter, or in some cases, removal of the affected kidney.

See also

• Kidney
• Ureter
• Urinary tract infection
• Incontinence
• Kidney damage

Duplicated ureter Resources
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