Abstract
The radiographic and sectional imaging features (ultrasound [US], computed tomography [CT], and magnetic resonance imaging [MRI]) of ureteral obstruction due to metastatic disease are reviewed. The radiologic findings depend on the pattern of the tumoral spread: hematogenous submucosal/mucosal metastasis, hematogenous adventitia metastases spreading along periureteral vessels, scirrhous metastatic spread along periureteral vessels, or metastatic spread into lymph nodes with perinodal desmoplastic reaction. Solitary or multiple extraluminal obstructions without substantial displacement of the ureter are characteristic. CT is the examination of choice for morphological analysis. Together with the patient's history and clinical data, a presumptive diagnosis of ureteral obstruction caused by metastatic disease can be made.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Alexander S, Kim K, Pinck BD, Brendler H. Metastatic ureteral tumors. J Urol 1973;110:288–290
Ambos MA, Bosniak MA, Megibow AJ, Raghavendra B. Ureteral involvement by metastatic disease. Urol Radiol 1979;1:105–112
Cohen WM, Freed SZ, Hasson J. Metastatic cancer to the ureter: a review of the literature and case presentations. J Urol 1974;112:188–189
Presman D, Ehrlich L. Metastatic tumors of the ureter. J Urol 1948;59:312–325
Feun LG, Drelichman A, Singhakowinta A, Vaitkevicius VK. Ureteral obstruction secondary to metastatic breast carcinoma. Cancer 1979;44:1164–1171
Fitch WP, Robinson JR, Radwin HM. Metastatic carcinoma of the ureter. Arch Surg 1976;111:874–876
Perch GA. Carcinoma of the cervix involving the upper urinary tract. J Urol 1971;106:562–564
Schmidt JD. Bilateral ureteral obstruction due to cancer of the pancreas. J Urol 1971;106:652–654
Babaian RJ, Johnson DE, Ayala AG, Sie ET. Secondary tumors of ureter. Urology 1979;14:341–343
Usher SM, Brendler H, Ciavarra VA. Retroperitoneal fibrosis secondary to metastatic neoplasm. Urology 1977;9:191–194
Thomas MH, Chisholm GD. Retroperitoneal fibrosis associated with malignant disease. Br J Cancer 1973;28:453–458
Brin EN, Schiff M Jr, Weiss RM. Palliative urinary diversion for pelvic malignancy. J Urol 1975;113:619–622
Jeffrey RB, Federle MP. CT and ultrasonography of acute renal abnormalities. Radiol Clin North Am 1983;21:515–525
Marincek B, Nachbur B. Computertomographie beim aortoiliakalen Aneurysma mit Ureterstenose. Fortschr Röntgenstr 1986;145:256–262
Megibow AJ, Bosniak MA, Ambos MA, Redmond PE. Crohn's disease causing hydronephrosis. J Comput Assist Tomogr 1981;5:909–911
Elkin M. Tumors of the ureter. In: Elkin M, ed. Radiology of the urinary system, Boston: Little, Brown, 1980:397–405
Pollack HM, Wills JS. Radiographic features of ureteral endometriosis. AJR 1978;131:627–631
Puech JL, Song MY, Joffre F, Rousseau H, Trocard J, Plante P. Ureteral metastases-computed tomographic findings. Eur J Radiol 1987;7:103–106
Bosniak MA, Megibow AJ, Ambos MA, Mitnick JS, Lefleur RS, Gordon R. Computed tomography of ureteral obstruction. AJR 1982;138:1107–1113
Arrivé L, Hricak H, Tavares NJ, Miller TR. Malignant versus nonmalignant retroperitoneal fibrosis: differentiation with MR imaging. Radiology 1989;172:139–143
Oliphant M, Berne AS. Computed tomography of the subperitoneal space: demonstration of direct spread of intraabdominal disease. J Comput Assist Tomogr 1982;6:1127–1137
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Marincek, B., Scheidegger, J.R., Studer, U.E. et al. Metastatic disease of the ureter: Patterns of tumoral spread and radiologic findings. Abdom Imaging 18, 88–94 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00201710
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00201710