Refluxing urethral ectopic ureters: recognition by the cyclic voiding cystourethrogram

Abstract

Reflux into an ectopic ureter that opens into a girl's urethra has been difficult to demonstrate and has been thought to occur in only about a third of the patients with this anomaly. In an attempt to more reliably demonstrate this reflux, 12 girls aged 1 day to 6 years, who were suspected of having an ectopic ureter, were studied using a method of cyclic filling and voiding during the cystourethrogram. Reflux into their urethral ectopic ureter was shown in 11 (92%). The technique of cyclic voiding cystourethrography should be used in all girls in whom an ectopic ureter is suspected, either because of signs or symptoms or because of a dilated upper pole of a duplex collecting system seen on an excretory urogram or a sonogram. It should also be used when a conventional voiding cystourethrogram has shown no or only minimal reflux.