Genetic Basis of Ureterocele

Factors of transurethral incision effectiveness for ureteroceles in pediatric patients: A 28-year, single-institution retrospective review

BACKGROUND

As a congenital anomaly, ureteroceles occur in 1 in 4000 children, and are usually diagnosed prenatally. However, there remains a lack of definite consensus on the optimal management of congenital ureteroceles.

OBJECTIVE

We evaluated factors associated with success of primary transurethral incision (TUI) in ureterocele pediatric patients.

METHODS

Demographic and clinical information for 120 pediatric patients who were diagnosed with congenital ureterocele between 1993 and 2021 at our institution were obtained through retrospective chart review. Data were analyzed using Fisher's exact tests, t-tests, and logistic regression with a significance threshold of p < 0.05. The primary outcome of ureterocele management was TUI effectiveness, defined by no need for further surgical intervention.

RESULTS

Of the 120 patients (39 boys, 81 girls) with ureteroceles, 75 patients (22 boys, 53 girls) met our inclusion criteria of undergoing initial TUI ureterocele. Initial TUI was effective in 51/75 patients (68.0%). We analyzed possible correlative factors for TUI efficacy. Simplex system was a significant predictor of primary TUI efficacy (85% effective in simplex systems, 62% in duplex systems). Prior urinary tract infection, prenatal diagnosis, and electrocautery technique were all associated with an increased risk of needing additional surgeries after primary TUI.

DISCUSSION

The most significant predictors of effective primary TUI were simplex system and the absence of preoperative vesicoureteral reflux. Prenatal diagnosis, preoperative febrile urinary tract infection, higher preoperative hydronephrosis grade, and the use of electrocautery were all associated with decreased primary TUI efficacy. Study limitations include that it was a retrospective chart review, and cohort size was limited by incomplete urology follow-up and operative records.

CONCLUSIONS

Initial TUI was an effective procedure for the majority of our pediatric ureterocele patients, a higher success rate compared to other cohorts. Patients with a simplex system were more likely to have an effective first TUI than patients with duplex systems, as were patients without preoperative reflux. Although not statistically significant, our data suggest prior UTI, prenatal diagnosis, higher preoperative hydronephrosis grade, and the use of electrocautery may be associated with having additional surgeries.

Multidisciplinary approaches for elucidating genetics and molecular pathogenesis of urinary tract malformations

Advances in clinical diagnostics and molecular tools have improved our understanding of the genetically heterogeneous causes underlying congenital anomalies of kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT). However, despite a sharp incline of CAKUT reports in the literature within the past 2 decades, there remains a plateau in the genetic diagnostic yield that is disproportionate to the accelerated ability to generate robust genome-wide data. Explanations for this observation include (i) diverse inheritance patterns with incomplete penetrance and variable expressivity, (ii) rarity of single-gene drivers such that large sample sizes are required to meet the burden of proof, and (iii) multigene interactions that might produce either intra- (e.g., copy number variants) or inter- (e.g., effects in trans) locus effects. These challenges present an opportunity for the community to implement innovative genetic and molecular avenues to explain the missing heritability and to better elucidate the mechanisms that underscore CAKUT. Here, we review recent multidisciplinary approaches at the intersection of genetics, genomics, in vivo modeling, and in vitro systems toward refining a blueprint for overcoming the diagnostic hurdles that are pervasive in urinary tract malformation cohorts. These approaches will not only benefit clinical management by reducing age at molecular diagnosis and prompting early evaluation for comorbid features but will also serve as a springboard for therapeutic development.

Ureterocele as a cause of chronic intractable abdominal pain

A ureterocele is a submucosal, cystic dilation of the terminal ureter, either congenital or acquired, as it enters the bladder. It is a rare clinical entity that can be entirely asymptomatic and present as an incidental finding or can manifest in the form of distressing symptoms such as unremitting abdominal pain, haematuria, obstructive uropathy, to name a few. The authors present a case of abdominal pain in a 43-year-old woman who was presumptively attributed to various clinical entities and was finally referred to the chronic pain clinic. The patient underwent numerous diagnostic tests, psychological evaluations and therapeutic interventions, including surgeries, over the years that failed to mitigate her symptoms until urologic imaging reported intravesical ureterocele as the underlying disorder. The case report entails the diagnostic challenge faced by the authors along with the clinical characteristics of ureterocele.

Laser-puncture of the ureterocele in neonatal patients significantly decreases an incidence of de novo vesico-ureteral reflux than electrosurgical incision

INTRODUCTION

Endoscopic laser-puncture or electrosurgical incision are the most commonly used minimaly invasive approaches for the treatment of the ureterocele. Both techniques are mainly successful in decompressing of ureteroceles, but the consequence of such treatment may be formation of de novo vesicoureteral reflux and febrile urinary tract infection which could impact the final results.

OBJECTIVE

To compare outcomes of treatment of two endoscopic techniques used in management of neonatal patients with intravesical ureterocele.

STUDY DESIGN

A case records of 64 neonates who underwent endoscopic procedures for intravesical ureterocele, performed at our institution from January 2005 to January 2021, were retrospectively reviewed. The patients were divided in two groups depending on used endoscopic procedure. The first group (n = 41) consisted of patients who underwent electrosurgical incision of the ureterocele, while the second group (n = 23) consisted of patients in whom 6 to 8 laser-punctures of the ureterocele were performed. The groups were compared in regards to outcomes of treatment, with special emphasis on de novo vesicoureteral reflux and the need for further treatment and surgery.

RESULTS

Median follow-up was 7.5 (IQR 3, 11.5) and 3.5 (IQR 1.5, 5) years in the electroincision and laser-puncture groups, respectively (P = 0.017). No significant differences between the groups in regards to medians of duration of surgery (12 min vs. 11 min, P = 0.670), length of hospital stay (2 days in both groups, P = 0.988) or postoperative obstruction (n = 1 vs. n = 0, P > 0.999) were recorded. Ureterocele decompression was achieved after endoscopic treatment in 87.9% and 100% of the patients in electrosurgery and laser-puncture groups, respectively (P = 0.150). Five patients (12.1%) from electrosurgery group required endoscopic retreatment. The laser-puncture group had a significantly decreased rate of de novo vesicoureteral reflux (8.7% vs. 58.5%; P = 0.0001) and lower incidence of subsequent surgery due to de novo vesicoureteral reflux (50% vs. 62.5%; P = 0.727).

CONCLUSION

Both electrosurgical incision and laser-puncture endoscopic techniques are safe and effective in relieving the obstruction. Laser-puncture technique is associated with significantly lower incidence of de novo vesicoureteral reflux and accordingly fewer invasive procedures for neonatal patients.

Role of Antibiotic Prophylaxis in the Management of Antenatal Hydronephrosis, Vesicoureteral Reflux, and Ureterocele in Infants

Widespread prenatal screening has resulted in increased detection of anomalies of the kidneys and urinary tract. Antenatal hydronephrosis (AHN) and vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) are among the most common congenital anomalies diagnosed in utero or after birth. Pediatric urologists frequently rely on continuous antibiotic prophylaxis (CAP) for managing AHN, VUR, and ureterocele, unless definitive treatment is performed. The main aim of antibiotic prophylaxis (ABP) is to prevent urinary tract infection and long-term complications. Nevertheless, the efficacy of ABP has been a source of considerable debate, and pediatricians have varied opinions on who would benefit from ABP. In this review article, we searched the currently available literature, for evidence of the role of ABP in the setting of AHN, VUR, and ureterocele. Most of our studies showed a limited benefit of ABP for HN and VUR. The data on the use of CAP in the management of ureterocele is scarce. However, due to the involvement of independent risk factors and other variables, a conclusion cannot be drawn from these studies alone. Pediatric urologists are urged to conduct randomized controlled trials to compare patients followed up with and without ABP. Given the lack of guidelines, an individualized approach should be used for the use of ABP, until precise guidelines and recommendations are developed.

An adult ureterocele complicated by a large stone: A case report

INTRODUCTION

Ureterocele is a cystic dilatation of the lower part of the ureter. It is a congenital anomaly that is associated with other anomalies such as a duplicated system, and other diseases. It poses a great challenge owing to its numerous types and clinical presentations. Its incidence is 1 in every 4000 individuals. One of its presentations in the adult population is the presence of a stone, usually a solitary stone, inside the ureterocele.

CASE PRESENTATION

We are reporting a case of an adult ureterocele complicated by a large calculus; managed endoscopically with transurethral deroofing of the ureterocele followed by cystolitholapaxy. A literature review was also conducted.

DISCUSSION

The pathogenesis of ureteroceles is not well understood, however many proposed mechanisms exist with the incomplete dissolution of chwalla membrane being the most accepted one. The type of ureterocele and age at presentation will help guide the appropriate investigation and management, nevertheless certain goals of treatment should apply to all cases. Adult ureterocele is usually clinically silent but it may co-exist with other conditions such as a ureteral calculus and in these conditions it can be managed endoscopically.

CONCLUSION

Ureteroceles complicated by stones can be effectively managed with endoscopic resection or incision of the ureterocele coupled with stone removal, however long term follow up is required to monitor for hydronephrosis and iatrogenic vesicoureteric reflux.

Transurethral incision of ureteroceles in paediatric age group

OBJECTIVE

Ureteroceles are a great clinical challenge because of variations in anatomy and clinical presentations. We present our experience with primary transurethral incision of ureteroceles in children.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Data of thirteen children managed for ureterocele from 2009 to 2016 was retrospectively analyzed with respect to age, sex, clinical presentation and symptomatology, type and localization of ureterocele, investigations, surgical management and follow-up.

RESULTS

A total of 13 patients with ureteroceles were managed. There were 7 males and 6 females. Six were neonates with antenatal diagnosis of ureteroceles. Five patients presented with urinary tract infection and two were diagnosed during ultrasound for abdominal pain. The ureteroceles were on the right side in 7 patients and left in 6 patients. Six patients had a duplex system-five on right side and bilateral in one. Two patients had ureteroceles in solitary kidney. Four patients had associated hydronephrosis and hydroureter and two had only hydronephrosis alone. One patient had bilateral grade III reflux in the bilateral lower moieties of the patient with bilateral duplex system. Two patients had poorly functioning kidney on radionuclide scan. All patients underwent cystoscopic incision of the ureteroceles. Eleven had intravesical ureteroceles and two had large caeco-ureteroceles. Two patients required ureteric reimplantation during follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Though the approach of managing a patient with ureterocele should be individualized, transurethral incision remains valuable as a primary intervention with regular follow up. It may even prove to be the only intervention required in most of the patients.

The duplicated collecting system of the urinary tract: embryology, imaging appearances and clinical considerations

Duplication anomalies of the urinary collecting system are common and can be discovered and characterized with multiple imaging modalities. The embryology, imaging manifestations and clinical ramifications of duplicated ureters and renal collecting systems vary from a normal anatomical variant to urological pathology and are discussed and illustrated in this review.