Megaureter is a medical anomaly whereby the
ureter
The ureters are tubes made of smooth muscle that propel urine from the kidneys to the urinary bladder. In a human adult, the ureters are usually long and around in diameter. The ureter is lined by urothelial cells, a type of transitional epit ...
is abnormally
dilated.
Congenital
A birth defect, also known as a congenital disorder, is an abnormal condition that is present at birth regardless of its cause. Birth defects may result in disabilities that may be physical, intellectual, or developmental. The disabilities can ...
megaureter is an uncommon condition which is more common in males, may be bilateral, and is often associated with other congenital anomalies. The cause is thought to be
aperistalsis of the distal ureter, leading to dilatation.
The
cutoff value for megaureter is when it is wider than 6 or 7 mm.
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A functional obstruction at the lower end of the ureter leads to progressive dilatation and a tendency to infection
An infection is the invasion of tissues by pathogens, their multiplication, and the reaction of host tissues to the infectious agent and the toxins they produce. An infectious disease, also known as a transmissible disease or communicable dise ...
. The ureteric orifice appears normal and a ureteric catheter
In medicine, a catheter (/ˈkæθətər/) is a thin tube made from medical grade materials serving a broad range of functions. Catheters are medical devices that can be inserted in the body to treat diseases or perform a surgical procedure. Cath ...
passes easily.
Definitive surgical treatment involves refashioning the lower end of the affected ureter so that a tunnelled reimplantation into the bladder
The urinary bladder, or simply bladder, is a hollow organ in humans and other vertebrates that stores urine from the kidneys before disposal by urination. In humans the bladder is a distensible organ that sits on the pelvic floor. Urine enters ...
can be done to prevent reflux.
References
* Bailey and Love's ''Short Practice of Surgery''
Further reading
*
*
External links
The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
Cleveland Clinic
Congenital disorders of urinary system
Ureter disorders
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