Asymmetrical bilateral ureteral duplication: a cadaveric case report illustrating the clinical implications of a rare congenital urinary tract anomaly

Abstract

Abstract Background Ureteral duplication is among the most common congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract; however, asymmetrical bilateral ureteral duplication, characterized by complete duplication on one side and incomplete duplication on the contralateral side, has rarely been reported. Recognition of this anatomical variant is important because duplicated ureters may complicate diagnostic evaluation and operative planning. Case presentation We report an incidental cadaveric finding in an 84-year-old female with complete right-sided ureteral duplication and incomplete left-sided duplication. The two right ureters descended in parallel without crossing, remained separate throughout their course, and terminated at two separate ureteral orifices within the bladder. On the left, two ureters coursed separately before converging approximately 9 cm distal to the left renal hilum and entering the bladder through a single ureteral orifice. No gross external evidence of hydronephrosis or ureteral dilation was observed. The relationships of the duplicated ureters to the renal moieties and specific calyces were not documented during dissection. Conclusions This case adds to the limited body of literature describing asymmetrical bilateral ureteral duplication and reinforces the importance of recognizing rare congenital ureteral variants during radiologic interpretation, endoscopic procedures, and surgical intervention.

The authors' abstract, as published at the source. BMC Urology, 2026 · DOI ↗