J Korean Radiol Soc.  1995 Nov;33(5):785-791.

CT Findings of Ureteral Metastases

• Lee JY
• Kim TS
• Han MC
• Kim SH
• Yeon KM

Abstract

PURPOSE
To evaluate CT features of metastatic ureteral tumors.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
CT findings in 16 patients with ureteral metastases were evaluated retrospectively ;there were eight cases of bilateral ureteral involvement. Primary tumors metastatic to the ureter were advanced gastric cancer (n=13), breast cancer (n=l), colon cancer (n=l), or adenocarcinoma of unknown primary (n=l). We analysed CT findings with regard to the site of ureteral obstruction, configuration of obstructed sites of ureter, presence or absence of periureteral soft tissue density, and status in other organs.
RESULTS
Among 24 ureters involved, ureteral wail thickening was noted in 15, periureteral soft tissue density in 13. Small nodular enhancing lesions less than lcm, within the retroperitoneal space around the involved ureters were noted in seven patients, and four of them were multiple lesions.
CONCLUSION
Among various primary tumors, gastric cancer was the most common cause of ureteral metastasis. The common CT findings of ureteral metastases were thickening of ureteral wall, periureteral soft tissue density, and small periureteral enhancing nodular lesions. The constellation of these CT findings may be helpful in making the diagnosis of ureteral metastases.

MeSH Terms

Adenocarcinoma
Breast Neoplasms
Colonic Neoplasms
Diagnosis
Humans
Neoplasm Metastasis*
Retroperitoneal Space
Retrospective Studies
Stomach Neoplasms
Ureter*
Ureteral Obstruction