How is an ectopic ureter diagnosed?

How is an ectopic ureter diagnosed?

Sometimes an ectopic ureter is diagnosed before birth, during a prenatal ultrasound. For those that aren’t, an ectopic ureter can be difficult to diagnose because other problems have similar signs and symptoms. Even though it’s present at birth, the condition is often missed or misdiagnosed for years.

To make a diagnosis, a healthcare provider will:

• Ask about your symptoms and how long you've had them.
• Ask you whether any family members have had similar problems.
• Conduct a physical exam.
• They may order blood tests to test kidney function and urine tests to check for infection.

The healthcare provider also might order some other tests:

• Imaging tests: A CT scan, MRI or ultrasound may be used to take pictures of the urinary system.
• Cystoscopy: A cystoscopy is used to examine the urethra and bladder. The provider inserts a thin tube with a small camera through the urethra to look inside your bladder.
• Renal flow scan: This test is performed to see how well your kidneys are working and check for abnormalities. A provider injects a small amount of radioactive dye into the body. A gamma camera shows how the dye flows through the urinary system.
• Urography: This test also uses a dye injected into the body to examine the urinary system. X-rays, a CT scan or MRI takes images of the kidneys, bladder and ureters as the dye moves through them.
• Voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG): A VCUG is done to look for bladder and urethra abnormalities and determine whether you have reflux.