The roentgen diagnosis of ureterocele - with special reference to the simple orthotopic ureterocele in adults

The ureterocele is a cystic ballooning of the terminal ureter into the bladder resulting from a congenital weakness of the wall of the lower ureter and a facultative concomitant stenosis of the ureteral orifice. This condition is more frequent in females. The cobra head with its surrounding halo is the most common finding on the excretory urogram in the simple adult ureterocele. In ectopic ureterocele which is principally encountered in children, the ureter terminates either at the bladder neck or in the proximal urethra. The urogram shows a filling defect in the bladder which may extended into the female urethra. Ureteral duplication, dilatation of the upper urinary tract, vesico-ureteral reflux, chronic infection and ureteral stones are the most frequent additional findings and complications. (orig.)