Ureter Disorders

Diagnosis of Ureteral Disorders

Frequently, ureteral disorders are diagnosed before birth using prenatal ultrasound. The test can show details of the developing fetus, including the kidneys, ureters and bladder.

To disgnose a child or adult, the medical team tests blood and urine, and then looks internally at the urinary system. Tests include:

Blood and urine tests
The physician tests samples of blood and urine for infection and for the presence of chemicals such as creatinine that signal that the kidneys are not working properly.

Retroperitoneal ultrasound
This ultrasound of the area behind the abdominal organs (retropenitoneal area) allows doctors to view the kidneys and ureters.

Voiding cystourethrogram
To look for abnormal flow of urine, a catheter is inserted through the urethra, contrast material (dye) is injected into the bladder and several X-rays are taken of the kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra before and during urination.

Intravenous pyelogram (IVP) or excretory urogram
Contrast material is injected into a vein in the arm and X-rays are taken as the contrast moves into the kidneys, ureters and bladder.

Renal nuclear scan
Similar to an IVP, except the contrast fluid contains a small amount of radioactive material, which is detected by a special camera. This test can evaluate the urinary system, reveal a ureter disorder and view the kidneys for damage caused by a ureter disorder.

Cystoscopy
A narrow tube with a camera and light is inserted into the body through the urethra or through a small incision. The optical system allows the physician to see inside the urethra and bladder.

CT scan
The scanner takes a series of thin X-ray "slices" of the urinary tract.

Abdominal MRI
This scanner produces images using powerful magnets and radio waves.