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can one kidney have two ureters

by Mr. Doug Moen Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Children with a duplex kidney (also called a duplicated collecting system) have two ureters coming from a single kidney. These two ureters can drain independently into the bladder or connect and drain as a single ureter into the bladder. Duplex kidneys can occur in one or both kidneys.

Full Answer

What are the symptoms of a dilated ureter?

  • Kidney stones
  • Cancerous and noncancerous tumors
  • Blood clots
  • Enlarged lymph nodes
  • Internal tissue growth, such as endometriosis in females
  • Long-term swelling of the ureter wall, usually due to diseases such as tuberculosis or a parasite infection called schistosomiasis

What causes double kidney failure?

Physical, chemical, environmental, and biological factors that affect health, which include:

  • Outdoor air quality
  • Surface and ground water quality
  • Toxic substances and hazardous wastes
  • Homes and communities (for example, indoor air pollution, also known as sick building syndrome, foundational, structural and ventilation problems within the home, lead-based paint)

What are the symptoms of a blocked ureter?

Urinary Tract Obstruction

  • Blockage can be complete or partial.
  • Blockage can lead to kidney damage, kidney stones, and infection.
  • Symptoms can include pain in the side, decreased or increased urine flow, and urinating at night.
  • Symptoms are more common if the blockage is sudden and complete.

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How is a stent removed after kidney stone surgery?

  • Use a cystoscope to enter the bladder. (A cystoscope is a camera that can be placed into the bladder).
  • Identify the stent.
  • Use a grasper to securely grab the stent.
  • Remove the cystoscope, grasper, and the secured stent as one unit.

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How many ureters does a kidney have?

In a normal urinary tract, each kidney is connected to one ureter (a tube that drains urine into the bladder). Children with a duplex kidney (also called a duplicated collecting system) have two ureters coming from a single kidney.

Is a duplex kidney a normal kidney?

Duplex kidneys are a normal variant, meaning that they occur commonly enough in healthy children to be considered normal. They occur in 1 percent of the population, and most cause no medical problems and will require no treatment.

Is it normal to have a duplex kidney?

Since most duplex kidneys are a normal finding, no treatment is necessary. If a duplicated kidney is associated with VUR, an ectopic ureter or a ureterocele, experts in the Division of Urology will follow the treatment plan for those diagnoses.

What percentage of people have a duplicate ureter?

Duplicated ureter is the most common renal abnormality, occurring in approximately 1% of the population. It occurs in about 0.7% of healthy adults and in 2% to 4% of people with urinary tract issues.

What is a duplicate ureter?

Duplicated ureter or Duplex Collecting System is a congenital condition in which the ureteric bud, the embryological origin of the ureter, splits (or arises twice), resulting in two ureters draining a single kidney. It is the most common renal abnormality, occurring in approximately 1% of the population.

What is a prenatally diagnosed hydronephrotic kidney?

The strongest neo-natal presentation is urinary tract infection. A hydronephrotic kidney may present as a palpable abdominal mass in the newborn, and may suggest an ectopic ureter or ureterocele. In older children, ureteral duplication may present as:

What is the cause of urinary tract infection?

Urinary tract infection - most commonly due to vesicoureteral reflux (flow of urine from the bladder into the ureter, rather than vice versa). Urinary incontinence in females occurs in cases of ectopic ureter entering the vagina, urethra or vestibule.

Why is my ureter duplicated?

Duplicated ureter is more common in females. However, this may be due to the higher frequency of urinary tract infections in females, leading to a higher rate of diagnosis of duplicated ureter.

When does the ureteric bud develop?

Ureteral development begins in the human fetus around the 4th week of embryonic development. A ureteric bud, arising from the mesonephric (or Wolffian) duct, gives rise to the ureter, as well as other parts of the collective system. In the case of a duplicated ureter, the ureteric bud either splits or arises twice. In most cases, the kidney is divided into two parts, an upper and lower lobe, with some overlap due to intermingling of collecting tubules. However, in some cases the division is so complete as to give rise to two separate parts, each with its own renal pelvis and ureter.

How many parts does the kidney have?

In most cases, the kidney is divided into two parts, an upper and lower lobe, with some overlap due to intermingling of collecting tubules. However, in some cases the division is so complete as to give rise to two separate parts, each with its own renal pelvis and ureter.

What is a duplicated ureter?

A duplicated ureter occurs when two ureters form on the same kidney. A ureterocele is a small bulge in the ureter, usually in the end closest to the bladder. Both conditions may lead to ureteral obstruction. Different types of ureteral obstruction have different causes, some of them present at birth (congenital).

Where is the kidney located?

Your kidneys, located in the rear portion of your upper abdomen , produce urine by filtering waste and fluid from your blood. A ureteral obstruction is a blockage in one or both of the tubes (ureters) that carry urine from your kidneys to your bladder. Ureteral obstruction can be curable.

What happens if your ureter is too narrow?

If the ureter is too narrow and doesn't allow urine to flow normally, a tiny bulge in the ureter (ureterocele) may develop, usually in the section of the ureter closest to the bladder. This can block urine flow and cause urine to back up into the kidney, possibly leading to kidney damage.

How do you know if you have ureteral obstruction?

Symptoms. Ureteral obstruction might have no signs or symptoms. Signs and symptoms depend on where the obstruction occurs, whether it's partial or complete, how quickly it develops, and whether it affects one or both kidneys. Signs and symptoms might include: Pain. Changes in the amount of urine produced. Difficulty urinating. Blood in the urine.

Why does the ureter block?

Various causes inside (intrinsic) or outside (extrinsic) the ureter can lead to ureteral obstruction, including: Long-term swelling of the ureter wall, usually due to diseases such as tuberculosis or a parasite infection called schistosomiasis.

Why does my kidney stop working?

An abnormal connection between the ureter and kidney (ureteropelvic junction) may cause the kidney to swell and eventually stop working. This abnormality can be congenital or it can develop with normal childhood growth, result from an injury or scarring, or in rare cases, develop from a tumor.

Why does urine back up into the kidney?

The fibers may grow due to cancers or may result from taking certain medicines used to treat migraines. The fibers encircle and block the ureters, causing urine to back up into the kidneys.

How many ureters are there in the human body?

Most of us are born with 2 ureters, the tube that drains the urine from each kidney into the bladder.

Where does the ureter drain?

In these cases, one ureter drains the upper part of the kidney and the second ureter drains the lower part of the kidney. As long as they both enter the bladder, this extra ureter is usually not a problem. But if a child is born with a ureter that does not connect with the bladder, it can drain somewhere outside the bladder.

Why is it painful to urinate?

Poor drainage from an ectopic ureter may make children more likely to have UTIs. A UTI is when bacteria gets into the urine and travels up to the bladder. It becomes painful to urinate.

What is it called when a child's ureter drains?

But if a child is born with a ureter that does not connect with the bladder, it can drain somewhere outside the bladder. This is called an ectopic ureter. In girls, the ectopic ureter can drain into the urethra (the tube leading out of the bladder that we use to pee out of) or even the vagina. In boys, it often drains into the urethra near ...

How to treat ectopic ureter?

The treatment for ectopic ureter is surgery. To prevent infection, the patient may be put on a low dose of antibiotics before surgery. The 3 types of surgery to fix this problem are: 1 Nephrectomy 2 Ureteroureterostomy 3 Ureteral reimplantation

What is used to spot radioactivity in the kidney?

The kidney or part of the kidney drained by the ectopic ureter often doesn’t work well. In these tests, contrast dye liquid is injected. A special camera is used to spot radioactivity in the dye. MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) can also be used.

What is the Urology Care Foundation?

The Urology Care Foundation offers free, evidence-based patient education materials on urologic health to patients, healthcare providers, and the general public.

What is it called when you have two kidneys?

This condition is called renal agenesis. Another condition, which is called ki dney dysplasia, causes a person to be born with two kidneys, but only one of them works. Most people who are born without a kidney (or with only one working kidney) lead normal, healthy lives. A person may have had one kidney removed during an operation in order ...

Why do people have only one kidney?

There are three main reasons why a person may have only one kidney: 1 A person may be born with only one kidney. This condition is called renal agenesis. Another condition, which is called kidney dysplasia, causes a person to be born with two kidneys, but only one of them works. Most people who are born without a kidney (or with only one working kidney) lead normal, healthy lives. 2 A person may have had one kidney removed during an operation in order to treat an injury or a disease like cancer. 3 A person may have donated one kidney to a person who needed a kidney transplant.

What if I was born with only one "working" kidney?

In general, most people with a single, healthy kidney have few problems . However, some long term problems have been seen in some people.

Can a person with one kidney participate in sports?

This recommendation applies to anyone with a single kidney, including people who were born with one kidney and people with a kidney transplant. Some doctors think it is best to avoid contact sports like football, boxing, hockey, soccer, martial arts, or wrestling.

How to protect kidneys from injury?

Wearing protective gear such as padded vests under clothing can help protect the kidney from injury during sports. This can help lessen the risk, but it won't take away the risk. Talk to your healthcare provider if you (or your child) want to join in contact sports. You should always think about the risks involved in any activity, and carefully consider whether the risks outweigh the benefits.

How long does it take for a kidney to die?

This usually takes 25 years or more to happen. There may also be a chance of having high blood pressure later in life. However, the loss in kidney function is usually very mild, and life span is normal. Most people with one kidney live healthy, normal lives with few problems.

Can one transplanted kidney work as well as two?

Yes. Testing has shown that a transplanted kidney can also increase in size and function.

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Overview

Duplicated ureter or Duplex Collecting System is a congenital condition in which the ureteric bud, the embryological origin of the ureter, splits (or arises twice), resulting in two ureters draining a single kidney. It is the most common renal abnormality, occurring in approximately 1% of the population.

Pathophysiology

Ureteral development begins in the human fetus around the 4th week of embryonic development. A ureteric bud, arising from the mesonephric (or Wolffian) duct, gives rise to the ureter, as well as other parts of the collective system. In the case of a duplicated ureter, the ureteric bud either splits or arises twice. In most cases, the kidney is divided into two parts, an upper and lower lobe, with some overlap due to intermingling of collecting tubules. However, in some cases the divisio…

Diagnosis

Prenatally diagnosed hydronephrosis (fluid-filled kidneys) suggest post-natal follow-up examination. The strongest neo-natal presentation is urinary tract infection. A hydronephrotic kidney may present as a palpable abdominal mass in the newborn, and may suggest an ectopic ureter or ureterocele. In older children, ureteral duplication may present as:

Prevalence

Duplicated ureter is the most common renal abnormality, occurring in approximately 1% of the population. It occurs in about 0.7% of healthy adults and in 2% to 4% of people with urinary tract issues.
Race Duplicated ureter is more common in White Americans than in African-Americans. Sex Duplicated ureter is more common in females. However, this may be due to the higher frequenc…

Complications

A duplicated ureter increased the risk of:
• Hydronephrosis
• Urinary tract infection (UTI)
• Vesicoureteral reflux
• Incontinence

See also

• Ureterocele
• Ectopic ureter
• Kidney development

1.Duplex Kidney (Duplicated Ureters): Diagnosis, Cause

Url:https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16492-duplex-kidney

32 hours ago Duplex kidney, also called duplicated ureters, is a problem with the urinary tract where there are two ureters draining urine from a single kidney. It’s more common in females than males and …

2.2 ureters on one kidney - Kidney Disease & Disorders

Url:https://www.medhelp.org/posts/Kidney-Disease-Disorders/2-ureters-on-one-kidney/show/1711896

25 hours ago Normally, a single ureter drains a single kidney but sometimes there may be two ureters draining one kidney. One ureter drains the upper part of the kidney and the second ureter drains the …

3.I have a double ureter on one of my kidneys. will this

Url:https://www.healthtap.com/questions/868936-i-have-a-double-ureter-on-one-of-my-kidneys-will-this-cause-me-to-have-problems-when-conceiving/

19 hours ago  · None: A duplicated collecting system where you have two ureters coming from a single kidney occur commonly enough to be considered normal. They are usually discovered …

4.Duplex Kidney | Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

Url:https://www.chop.edu/conditions-diseases/duplex-kidney

20 hours ago In a normal urinary tract, each kidney is connected to one ureter (a tube that drains urine into the bladder). Children with a duplex kidney (also called a duplicated collecting system) have two …

5.Duplicated ureter - Wikipedia

Url:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duplicated_ureter

19 hours ago  · A second (duplicated) ureter. This common condition, which is congenital, causes two ureters to form on the same kidney. The second ureter can be fully or only partially …

6.Ureteral obstruction - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic

Url:https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ureteral-obstruction/symptoms-causes/syc-20354676

9 hours ago  · There are two ureters, one attached to each kidney. The upper half of the ureter is located in the abdomen and the lower half is located in the pelvic area. The ureter is a tube that carries urine ...

7.What is Ectopic Ureter? - Urology Care Foundation

Url:https://www.urologyhealth.org/urology-a-z/e/ectopic-ureter

18 hours ago Most of us are born with two ureters, one to drain the urine from each kidney into the bladder. But some babies are born with 2 ureters that drain a single kidney. In these cases, one ureter …

8.Living With One Kidney | National Kidney Foundation

Url:https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/onekidney

3 hours ago Without the double ureter, the first one would have caused pain much sooner and not have gotten to the 12mm size it eventually became. So one issue with a double ureter is that it offers an escape...

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