Ureter Disorders

Symptoms of Ureteral Disorders

If the ureteral disorder is not identified prior to birth, a number of symptoms can develop.

A newborn baby may have:

• A lump, or mass, in the abdomen

For a child or adult with a ureteral disorder, symptoms may include:

• Urinary tract infection is the most common symptom. Signs of a urinary tract infection include:
  • Unusually strong-smelling or cloudy urine
  • Strong urge to urinate frequently
  • Passing frequent, small amounts of urine
  • A burning sensation when urinating
• Pain in the back or side between the ribs and pelvis area
• Blood in the urine (hematuria)
• Leaking, or dribbling, of urine (incontinence)
• Fever, usually caused by a urinary tract infection

In many cases, people with ureteral disorders have no symptoms (asymptomatic).

People with retroperitoneal fibrosis (Ormond disease) will typically not develop a urinary tract infection. Their symptoms may include:

• Dull pain in the abdomen that increases over time
• Severe abdominal pain with bleeding
• Lower back pain
• Weight loss
• Eventual decrease in urination, to the point of no urine at all
• Nausea, vomiting