Retrocaval ureter: a venous anomaly causing ureteric obstruction

Introduction: The aim of this study is to report the experience in managing a rare entity, retrocaval ureter. Patients and methods: This is a retrospective study performed in a single urology unit of a tertiary referral center over a period of 8 years since October 2001. The diagnosis of retrocaval ureter was confirmed by retrograde ureteropyelogram. Symptomatic patients underwent open surgical pyelopyelostomy (ureteroureterostomy) after the ureter had been transposed to its normal anatomic position. Post surgical relief of ureteric obstruction was confirmed by 99mTc DTPA renogram. Results: There were 5 patients with retrocaval ureter. Mean age of the patients was 33 years (range 27-39 years). Out of 5 patients 4 were males. All 5 patients were presented with right flank pain and 3 of them had haematuria and a small mobile renal stone. All patients had type 1 right-sided retrocaval ureter. Associated anomalies were seen in none of the patients. All patients were asymptomatic after the surgical correction. Post operative 99mTc DTPA renograms were normal in all patients. Conclusion: Retrocaval ureter though rare can easily be diagnosed. Open surgical correction gives good results. DOI: 10.4038/slju.v10i1.2412Sri Lanka Journal of Urology, 2009, 10, 18-21