Computed Tomography of Ureteral Disruption

Abstract

Computed tomography in four cases of urine extravasation due to ureteropelvic disruption secondary to blunt trauma were compared with CT in 15 cases of renal parenchymal injury. In three cases of isolated ureteropelvic disruption the renal parenchyma was intact, contrast medium excretion was normal; no perirenal hematoma was present. Contrast medium extravasation was confined predominantly to the medial perirenal space. The ipsilateral ureter was not opacified in three of the four cases of ureteropelvic disruption. These CT findings of ureteral injury are distinct from those of renal parenchymal injury. When these findings are present on CT done for trauma, confident diagnosis of ureteral disruption can be made. In one case, combined renal parenchymal injury and ureteropelvic disruption occurred.