Ureteritis

Ureteritis refers to inflammation of the ureter, it is rare and is often associated with cystitis or pyelonephritis .

Clinical presentation

Patients may present with symptoms of cystitis or pyelonephritis with suprapubic/flank pain, dysuria, hematuria and/or fever. White cell count may also be elevated .

Pathology

The etiology of ureteritis is most commonly infectious from associated cystitis but there are many causes:

  • ascending urinary tract infections; the most common causative agents are Escherichia coli and Aerobacter aerogenes
  • chronic inflammation secondary to ureteric stents
  • direct spread from adjacent organs (e.g. appendicitis, diverticulitis, inflammatory bowel disease)
  • haematogenous spread

Radiographic features

CT
  • diffuse, circumferential urothelial wall thickening and contrast-enhancement
  • periureteric or perinephric fat stranding

Treatment and prognosis

Complications

Differential diagnosis