megaureter

SYN: megaloureter.

- primary m. independent ureteral dilation; may be nonobstructive or related to congenital distal ureteral obstruction.

- secondary m. hydroureter secondary to vesicoureteral reflux or distal obstruction.

* * *

n.

gross dilatation of the ureter. This occurs above the site of a long-standing obstruction in the ureter, which blocks the free flow of urine from the kidney. A common cause of megaureter is reflux of urine from the bladder into the ureters (see vesicoureteric reflux), but some of the most striking examples are found in so-called idiopathic megaureter. In this condition, which may affect one or both ureters, there is a segment of normal ureter of varying length at the extreme lower end of the bladder, above which the ureter is enormously dilated. Both reflux and idiopathic megaureter progress to urinary infection and/or renal impairment. Treatment is by corrective surgery.

* * *

mega·ure·ter (meg″ə-u-reґtər) [mega- + ureter] congenital dilatation of the ureter; it may be either a primary condition or secondary to something else. Called also megaloureter. See also ureterectasis and hydroureter.