Duplicated collecting system
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
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Overview
Duplicated collecting system is the most common upper urinary tract anomaly, affecting nearly 15% of the population.
Embryologically occurs when 2 separate ureteric buds arise from a single wolffian duct. The future lower pole ureter separates from Wolffian duct earlier and migrates superiorly and laterally as the urogenital sinus grows.
Weigert-Meyer rule for bladder insertion: the upper pole ureter inserts inferior and medial to lower ureter.
Alternatively, the 2 ureters may fuse to form a single ureter prior to inserting into the bladder, termed a bifid system.
The lower pole system is usually dominant, while the upper system may drain a single or few calices.
The upper pole ureter may demonstrate a ureterocele, which is associated with ureteral obstruction and recurrent UTIs in children. The upper pole ureter may also be ectopic or stenotic.
Symptoms
- Most patients are symptomatic and are diagnosed as an incidental finding.
- Vesicoureteral reflux
- Recurrent UTIs, with resultant parenchymal scarring
- Ureteropelvic junction obstruction
- Hydronephrosis, which may be severe enough to cause a palpable mass and hypertension
- Urinary incontinence with ectopic insertion in female
Diagnostic Findings
- Excretory urography may demonstrate the duplicated anatomy. Limitation is that a poorly functioning system may not excrete contrast and may resemble a mass.
- The drooping lily sign: inferolateral displacement of the opacified lower pole moiety in a duplex kidney from an obstructed (unopacified) upper pole moeity.
- Voiding cystourethrogram is usually diagnostic and may demonstrate ectopic insertion and reflux.
- Ultrasound is an easy, noninvasive exam that may show the duplex kidney and hydronephrosis. May not be able to differentiate between complete duplication and a bifid system.
- CT urography may demonstrate the duplicated system and show the location of bladder insertion for each moiety.
- MR urography may demonstrate the typical anatomic findings, but is an expensive alternative.
- Renal scintigraphy can show the anatomy as well as evaluate for renal function.
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Duplicated collecting system
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Duplicated collecting system
References
- Glassberg KI, et al. Suggested terminology for duplex systems, ectopic ureters and ureteroceles. J Urol 1984; 132(6):1153-4.
- Callahan MJ. The drooping lily sign. Radiology. 2001 Apr;219(1):226-8.
- Sheth S and Fishman E. Multi-detector row CT of the kidneys and urinary tract: techniques and applications in the diagnosis of benign diseases. RadioGraphics 2004;24:e20.