Ureteral dilatation is one of the abnormal things that affects one of the ureters, as it has a medical anomaly that leads to the dilation process. There are many causes for this condition, including functional, internal, and others. According to the cause, the symptoms vary depending on the cause. Diagnosis is made through a group of methods prescribed by the treating physician, preferably one with experience in this field. Choosing a reliable place such as Al-Mousa Specialized Center helps speed up treatment and improve the condition better. For more details about ureteral dilatation, follow the article with us until the end.
What is ureteral dilatation?
Ureteral dilatation is considered one of the pathological conditions that occurs due to physiological or even pathological reasons, as its diameter increases and expands, and it may affect both or one of the ureters.
This expansion is characterized by being acute and chronic in many cases, and is not limited to a specific group as it affects children, adults, men and women alike.
There are many causes of ureteral dilatation, with kidney stones being one of the most common causes that lead to this, but in children it is usually due to an anatomical deformity or the presence of a urethral valve inside the ureter.
The symptoms of this expansion vary, but it depends on the condition and its degree, but it is necessary to go to a specialist doctor in order to diagnose the condition before it deteriorates. It is also preferable to resort to Al-Mousa Specialized Center, which provides the best level of health care in various medical specialties and at the hands of a distinguished elite of competent and experienced doctors.
Causes of ureteral dilatation
There are many causes that lead to ureteral dilatation, the most important of which are the following:
1.Internal reasons
There are multiple internal causes of the problem of ureteral dilatation, including:
- Fungal infection.
- Infection with tuberculosis.
- Ureteral stones or cancer.
- Vesicoureteral reflux.
- Congenital ureteral stenosis.
- Endometriosis.
- Blood clot or benign tumors.
- Ureteral flaps or valves.
2. External causes
Ureteral dilatation is associated with several external causes, which are as follows:
- Pregnancy is a natural thing that leads to dilation of the ureter due to mechanical pressure on it as a result of the expansion of the uterus.
- Enlargement or prostate cancer.
- Urinary cyst, ovarian cyst, ovarian abscess, or ovarian vein dilation.
- The presence of an abscess in the fallopian tube.
- Uterine prolapse and radiation therapy.
- Fibrosis or retroperitoneal bleeding.
- Cervical cancer.
- Lymphoma, specifically retroperitoneum.
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3.Functional reasons
Dilatation of the ureter occurs due to irritable bladder or the patient suffering from a bacterial infection.
Read also: Ureter stone Annoying and unbearable pain
Symptoms of ureteral dilatation
There are a wide range of symptoms that appear as a result of ureteral dilatation, which are as follows:
- Severe pain in the back and waist area that extends to the thigh or lower abdominal area.
- Noticing blood in the urine.
- Having difficulty completely expelling urine from the bladder, and feeling pain when urinating.
- Fever and high body temperature.
- The appearance of an unpleasant odor with a change in the density and color of urine.
- Delayed growth in children.
- Feeling nauseous and an urgent desire to vomit.
Complications of ureteral dilatation
Ureteral dilatation causes many complications, which are as follows:
- It gets worse when the expansion is accompanied by obstruction, as the patient develops severe back pain.
- The ureter becomes a fertile place for bacteria to multiply, and thus the person is more susceptible to urinary tract infections.
- It causes the kidneys to stop performing their function properly and thus kidney failure occurs.
- Increased risk of a person developing kidney stones due to the accumulation of minerals and salts in the urine.
- Suffering from vesicoureteral reflux, which causes urine to return from the bladder to the kidneys, which leads to kidney damage over time.
Diagnosis of ureteral dilatation
Ureteral dilatation can be diagnosed through a group of methods, which are as follows:
1.CT scan
CT scan visualizes all the details of the internal organs, which helps to know the cause and extent of the enlargement.
2. Magnetic resonance imaging
MRI helps visualize soft tissues in more detail than other types of imaging tests.
3. Urine tests
The doctor resorts to urine tests in order to identify signs that indicate ureteral dilatation, such as the presence of infection or blood in the urine.
4. Excretory cystography test
During which x-rays are used, relying on a specific type of dye, to clearly show all the details of the bladder.
5.Blood tests
Blood tests are performed in order to detect the presence of any type of infection as well as evaluate kidney function.
6. Ultrasound imaging
It helps detect any enlargements or abnormalities in the bladder by observing the kidneys, ureters, etc.
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Treatment of ureteral dilatation
Ureteral dilatation can be treated through a group of advanced methods, which are as follows:
First, drug treatment
A group of medications are used that help adjust urine alkalinity in order to break up stones, as well as medications to dilate the urethra.
This is in addition to giving antibiotics in order to get rid of the infection and any type of inflammation.
Secondly, surgical treatment
Doctors resort to treating ureteral dilatation through several surgical methods, including lithotripsy, in addition to the use of stents, in addition to ureteral reconstruction surgery.
In conclusion, we emphasize that ureteral dilatation is a disease symptom that affects the quality of life of the patient, especially since the ureter is one of the parts of the urinary system that helps transport urine from the kidneys to the urinary bladder. Any problem with it causes a change in the flow of urine and makes the matter more difficult. Therefore, the matter must not be neglected and one should go to Al-Moussa Specialized Center in order to receive the necessary medical care after undergoing an accurate diagnosis by doctors specialized in the field of urology and kidneys.
Frequently asked questions
Is ureteral dilatation dangerous?
Yes, in many cases it becomes dangerous if the condition is neglected because it causes urinary tract infections and thus kidney damage, as well as the formation of stones with very severe pain.
Does ureteral dilatation require surgery?
Yes, sometimes ureteral dilatation requires surgery, but that depends on the degree of dilation, the complications it causes, and the patient’s response to medications or not in this case.
What drinks work to dilate the ureter?
There are no drinks that help dilate the ureters, but you can drink water and lemon juice in addition to pomegranate juice in order to reduce the symptoms caused by ureteral dilatation, such as inflammation, breaking up kidney stones, and getting rid of excess fluids in the body.
Sources
Chapters and Articles – sciencedirect
