Ureteritis Cystica: Important Consideration in the Differential Diagnosis of Acute Renal Colic

Abstract

Ureteritis cystica is an uncommon cause of acute renal pain. The aetiology remains unclear and the diagnosis may be difficult to establish. We report the case of a 29 year old woman with a history of repeated urinary tract infections presenting with acute renal colic in the absence of lithiasis. We review the diagnostic tools available to make the diagnosis and the recent pertinent literature.

Ureteritis cystica and ureteral polyp—case report

“…UC occurs predominantly in women, and is usually localized in the upper renal tract (1,4). The presentation of cystic urethritis associated to a ureteral polyp is very uncommon and usually more than a few ureteral cysts are present (4,6). In this particular case, the patient had a very rare association between cystic ureteritis to a ureteral benign tumor.…”

“…Currently, CT scan is the preferred imaging choice, which allows differentiation of epithelial polyps from other ureteral filling defects. Definitive diagnosis usually requires cystoscopy, ureteroscopy and biopsy or complete resection of the lesions (3,4,6,10).…”

Ureteritis Cystica: An Unusual Presentation in an Otherwise Healthy Female

“…It is a proliferative condition characterized by multiple cysts and filling defects in the urothelium. It has classically been documented in older female patients with a history of recurrent urinary tract infections or kidney stones and can be challenging to diagnose [ 2 ]. Most of the literature points toward unilateral ureteral involvement, with rare cases of bilateral findings, as described in our case.…”

“…Many studies have shown the causes of UC to be nephrolithiasis and urinary tract infections. Other etiological factors that have been postulated include schistosomiasis, vitamin A excess, and increased immunoglobulin A [ 2 ]. In one study, UC was found in a patient following formalin treatment for cyclophosphamide-induced hemorrhagic cystitis [ 3 ].…”

“…UC rarely presents with an ureteral obstruction or an acute kidney dysfunction according to the review of documented cases outlined by Padilla-Fernandez et al [ 2 ]. This condition is more likely to present with symptoms of urinary tract infection, hematuria, or lithiasis before progression to obstruction occurs.…”