Ureterocele Associated With Simplex Ureter In Children: Clinical And Therapeutic Features

Ureterocele is a pseudo-cyst dilation of the terminal submucosal ureter. It is a rare malformative uropathy, in particular associated with simplex ureter. We conducted a retrospective study over a period of 10 years. Twelve medical records of patients whose data were collected at the Department of Paediatric Surgery of Monastir between 2006 and 2016 were examined. The average age of patients was 2.7 years (ranging from 7 days to 11 years) with a sex ratio of 1. Patients' clinical status was dominated by fever due to upper urinary tract infection. Diagnosis was mainly based on renal bladder ultrasound, intravenous urography (IVU) and retrograde urethrography and cystography. Ureterocele was unilateral in 10 cases and bilateral in 2 cases (on a total of 14 cases). It was associated with simplex ureter in all cases and all patients underwent endoscopic surgery. No perioperative adverse event was reported. The postoperative course was uneventful. Clinical and radiological improvements were reported in all cases. Ureterocele associated with simplex ureter is a very rare urinary abnormality. Early diagnosis is essential to avoid upper urinary tract involvement. Endoscopic treatment is a good alternative leading to satisfactory results.