OBSTRUCTIVE MEGA URETER

Megaureter (“large ureter”) will be occurs when a ureter was wider than 3/8 of an inch. This will result from an defect of the ureter itself (primary) or from the blockage of the bladder (secondary). 

Obstructed Megaureter: This type was seen when the ureter was too thin where it will enters the bladder. This block may cause the ureter to be more wider further up. The narrowing will damage the kidney over time. Operation will be essential to fix the problem & remove the block. It was important to follow up with doctor even if the symptoms improve.

SYMPTOMS:

It may cause severe and high infection or blocks which will leads to kidney damage, this health issue may be serious. Urinary tract stretching can suggest a blockage, but that will not be always the case. In some cases, a dilated ureter cannot affect the kidney at all. Also, in most patients with megaureters observe before the birth won’t get any symptoms. It’s important to have a check up to make sure that it won’t affect the way the kidney works & cause problems later.  Also, rarely flank pain may be seen or there will be blood in the urine.

DIAGNOSIS:

A megaureter was just a descriptive term the meaning was large ureter & was diagnosed by the ultrasound.  Once a megaureter was found, 2 more tests were usually done to observe if there was any reflux or obstruction.  A VCUG was performed to look for the reflux.  A lasix renal scan was done to view for the obstruction & how well the kidneys are function compared to one another.

If there is reflux which was causing the megaureter, then it will be treated with prophylactic antibiotics & rarely endoscopic or open surgery as suitable. If there was obstruction or partial obstruction which was causing the megaureter at the ureterovesical junction then various factors will be considered when recommending treatment.  If the kidney with the partially or obstructed megaureter was decreased function, or there was recurrent urinary tract infections, then a ureteral reimplant was also recommended.