Fibroepithelial ureteral polyps and urolithiasis

Abstract

Fibroepithelial polyps are the most common benign tumor of the ureter. Most of the literature regarding their cause ascribes it to chronic infection. These publications, however, show that the majority of such cases never were associated with a documented urinary tract infection. Fibroepithelial polyps appear with equal frequency in male and female subjects and are found in all age groups including children, in contrast to what would have been expected with an infectious cause. Four histologically confirmed cases of fibroepithelial polyps were associated with chronic inflammation of the upper urinary tract related to the presence of calculi and/or Double J ureteral stents. All patients were managed successfully by endoscopic means, preserving renal function. Fibroepithelial ureteral polyps may be associated with urolithiasis, which serves as a source of chronic inflammation. A review of the literature is presented and supports these observations.