Ureterocele

A ureterocele is a birth defect in which one of the ureters is swollen, which can block the normal flow of urine.

Because the urine collects in the ureter (the tube that carries the urine from the kidney to the bladder), it makes the ureter blow up like a balloon. Ureteroceles affect approximately 1 in 500 to 1 in 4,000 people and seem to be more prominent in Caucasians.

Common symptoms include back pain, chronic urinary tract infections, blood in the urine, incontinence, abdominal pain, fever, abnormal odor to the urine or a burning sensation while urinating.

Treatment is critical, so that permanent kidney damage is not done. Antibiotics and surgery will be required to repair the ureterocele.