Unilateral incomplete duplication of the left ureter: a case report

Abstract

Embryological defects in the development of the kidney cause a unilateral duplicated ureter. It may predispose an individual to the formation of ureteric stones at the junction of the duplicated ureter due to the acute angle formed at the point of union, increasing the likelihood of the “yoyo reflux” phenomenon, urinary stasis, and recurrent urinary tract infections. The case report is a 39-year-old adult male cadaver who had a unilateral duplicated left ureter with a “V” shape at the vesicoureteral junction. The case was discovered during a routine dissection of the abdominal region at the gross anatomy laboratory of the College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda. Although a duplicated ureter may be asymptomatic, it is implicated in the development of ureteric calculi and ureteric infections and increases the susceptibility to potential iatrogenic injury during surgical procedures.