Transitional cell carcinoma of the ureter

Case contributed by Ammar Ashraf
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Right flank pain with haematuria. No fever, vomiting or weight loss.

Patient Data

Age: 65 years
Gender: Male

Atrophic right kidney with increased parenchymal echogenicity and moderate hydronephrosis. Normal looking left kidney with mild compensatory hypertrophy. 

Tc-99m DMSA

Nuclear medicine
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No radiotracer activity is noted in the region of right kidney (non-functioning right kidney). Left kidney shows homogeneous radiotracer uptake.

This study is a stack
Axial
non-contrast
This study is a stack
Axial C+
arterial phase
This study is a stack
Axial C+ portal
venous phase
This study is a stack
Axial renal
excretory phase
Axial
non-contrast
Axial C+
arterial phase
Axial C+ portal
venous phase
Axial renal
excretory phase
Axial Maximum intensity
projection (MIP) image
Arterial phase Volume
rendered (VR) image
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Findings: Relatively small right kidney with decreased cortical thickness, moderate hydronephrosis & mild perinephric fat stranding. Relatively small right renal artery. Dilated tortuous right ureter up to the right sacroiliac joint where there is a zone of transition and distal to this the ureter is of normal calibre. A focal abnormality measuring approximately 5.5 cm in craniocaudal length, having an average density of 30, 84, 86 & 81 HUs on plain, arterial, venous & renal excretory phases respectively, is seen in the right ureter (L3--L5 level). Left kidney, ureter and urinary bladder are grossly normal. Mildly bulky lateral limb of left adrenal gland. Impression: Right ureteric enhancing lesion suspicious of transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) with proximal hydroureteronephrosis and relatively small right kidney. 

Cystoureteroscopy with...

Fluoroscopy
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Cystoureteroscopy with retrograde pyelography

Moderate right hydronephrosis and hydroureter with a zone of transition at the level of sacroiliac joint. A filling defect (likely a mass lesion) is seen in the right ureter (L3-L5 level). Normal looking left renal pelvicalyceal system & ureter.

Case Discussion

Urine analysis: Atypical transitional epithelial cells, highly suspicious of carcinoma.

Ureteroscopic biopsy: Inconclusive due to crushing artifacts.

Procedure: Laparoscopic right nephrouretrectomy.

Diagnosis: Low grade papillary transitional cell carcinoma of the right ureter. Tumour maximum size 3.0 cm (gross). All ureteric excision margins free of tumour. Tumour does not invade submucosa or muscle coats. Negative for lymphovascular space invasion. Kidney shows severe interstitial chronic nephritis. Hydroureteronephrosis grossly confirmed. Renal vessels show severe intimal fibrosis and luminal narrowing. Renal vascular resection margin free of tumour. Pathological staging pTa,pNx, pMx.

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