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LETTER Retrocaval ureter in a ferret Retrocaval ureter (RU), also called circumcaval ureter, is a congenital anomaly of development of the caudal vena cava (CVC) in which the right ureter passes dorsal to the CVC (Carrion 1981). A 5-year-old neutered male ferret with a previous history of eosinophilic gastroenteritis was presented for obtundment and anorexia. Blood urea, creatinine, potassium and phosphorus concentrations were markedly increased. Abdominal ultrasound showed dilation of the right renal pelvis and of the proximal segment of the ipsilateral ureter (Fig 1A). An excretory urogram disclosed abnormal median displacement of the ureter at approximately half of its length (Fig 1B), consistent with RU. The ferret died a few hours after admission. Necropsy confirmed that the proximal part of the right ureter was dilated and the portion lying dorsal to the CVC was tapered as a result of compression (Fig 1C), leading to hydronephrosis of the right kidney. To our knowledge, this is the first description of RU in a ferret. Retrocaval ureter should be included in the differential
diagnosis for hydroureter in ferrets, especially if the ureter suffers medial displacement. Transposition and reanastomosis of the ureter is the treatment of choice in humans to relieve hydronephrosis (Salonia et al. 2006) and such treatment could be suggested in ferrets. N. Di Girolamo*,†, A. Carnimeo*, A. Nicoletti‡, P. Selleri* *Clinica per Animali Esotici, Centro Veterinario Specialistico, 00137, Roma, Italy †Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Bologna, Ozzano Emilia (BO), Italy ‡Department of Ultrasonography, Centro Veterinario Specialistico, Roma, Italy References Carrion, H. (1981) Retrocaval ureter: diagnosis and management. In: The Ureter. Ed. H. Bergman. Springer, New York, NY, USA. pp 647-652 Salonia, A., Maccagnano, C., Lesma, A., et al. (2006) Diagnosis and treatment of the circumcaval ureter. European Urology S5, 449-462
FIG 1. Appearance of retrocaval ureter in a ferret. The right ureter (empty arrows), site of obstruction (arrows) and caudal vena cava (arrowheads) are indicated. (A) Abdominal ultrasound showing dilation of the renal pelvis. (B) Excretory urogram disclosing pronounced hydronephrosis associated with dilation and medial displacement of the proximal segment of the right ureter. (C) Necropsy, notice position of the ureter dorsal to the caudal vena cava
Journal of Small Animal Practice
•
Vol 56
•
May 2015
•
© 2015 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
355
LETTER Retrocaval ureter in a ferret Retrocaval ureter (RU), also called circumcaval ureter, is a congenital anomaly of development of the caudal vena cava (CVC) in which the right ureter passes dorsal to the CVC (Carrion 1981). A 5-year-old neutered male ferret with a previous history of eosinophilic gastroenteritis was presented for obtundment and anorexia. Blood urea, creatinine, potassium and phosphorus concentrations were markedly increased. Abdominal ultrasound showed dilation of the right renal pelvis and of the proximal segment of the ipsilateral ureter (Fig 1A). An excretory urogram disclosed abnormal median displacement of the ureter at approximately half of its length (Fig 1B), consistent with RU. The ferret died a few hours after admission. Necropsy confirmed that the proximal part of the right ureter was dilated and the portion lying dorsal to the CVC was tapered as a result of compression (Fig 1C), leading to hydronephrosis of the right kidney. To our knowledge, this is the first description of RU in a ferret. Retrocaval ureter should be included in the differential
diagnosis for hydroureter in ferrets, especially if the ureter suffers medial displacement. Transposition and reanastomosis of the ureter is the treatment of choice in humans to relieve hydronephrosis (Salonia et al. 2006) and such treatment could be suggested in ferrets. N. Di Girolamo*,†, A. Carnimeo*, A. Nicoletti‡, P. Selleri* *Clinica per Animali Esotici, Centro Veterinario Specialistico, 00137, Roma, Italy †Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Bologna, Ozzano Emilia (BO), Italy ‡Department of Ultrasonography, Centro Veterinario Specialistico, Roma, Italy References Carrion, H. (1981) Retrocaval ureter: diagnosis and management. In: The Ureter. Ed. H. Bergman. Springer, New York, NY, USA. pp 647-652 Salonia, A., Maccagnano, C., Lesma, A., et al. (2006) Diagnosis and treatment of the circumcaval ureter. European Urology S5, 449-462
FIG 1. Appearance of retrocaval ureter in a ferret. The right ureter (empty arrows), site of obstruction (arrows) and caudal vena cava (arrowheads) are indicated. (A) Abdominal ultrasound showing dilation of the renal pelvis. (B) Excretory urogram disclosing pronounced hydronephrosis associated with dilation and medial displacement of the proximal segment of the right ureter. (C) Necropsy, notice position of the ureter dorsal to the caudal vena cava
Journal of Small Animal Practice
•
Vol 56
•
May 2015
•
© 2015 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
355
