What are the symptoms of ureteral endometriosis?

Endometriosis means that the endometrium grows outside the uterus, such as in the ureter. So how do we know that it grows in the ureter? What are the symptoms of ureteral endometriosis? Next, this article will introduce you to the relevant content of ureteral endometriosis. Friends who want to know more about this knowledge can take a look!

Symptoms of ureteral endometriosis. Cullen first reported ureteral endometriosis in 1917. Like bladder endometriosis, it is also divided into intrinsic and extrinsic (1:4). Intrinsic endometriosis can directly infiltrate the myometrium, propria surface and ureteral lumen, and is currently believed to occur via hematogenous or lymphatic metastasis.

The ureteral segment affected by endometriosis is usually below the pelvis, with only one case reported involving the upper ureter. Most patients are premenopausal women, and there are occasional reports of individual postmenopausal patients.

For external endometriosis, it usually invades the connective tissue around the ureter and occasionally the ureter. It may be caused by lesions in adjacent tissues such as the ovary, infundibulocele ligament, and uterosacral ligament. Unlike bladder endometriosis and interstitial cystitis, there is often no relationship between ureteral endometriosis and interstitial cystitis.

Symptoms of ureteral endometriosis can be divided into two main categories:

Pelvic and ureteral symptoms, including irregular menstruation, abdominal pain, gross hematuria and pelvic mass, are clinically mainly a series of changes caused by obstruction. The obstruction may be symptomatic or may be extensive, even causing damage to the ureter or surrounding tissues.

When the lesions are external or accompanied by other pelvic diseases, the main manifestations are menstrual disorders and dyspareunia, and ureteral symptoms may be mild or absent. The differential diagnosis is mainly various benign or malignant ureteral obstructive diseases. If ureteral disease is suspected, IVU and retrograde ureterography should be done. For patients without urinary system symptoms, IVU examination has low visibility of the renal units, and ureteroscopy often helps to make the correct diagnosis.

By the time patients are diagnosed, 25%-50% of their nephrons have already been lost, primarily because patients are often misdiagnosed with ureteral malignancy or obstruction and undergo surgical resection (nephroureterectomy).

Symptoms and treatment of ureteral endometriosis depend on the patient's degree of obstruction, whether it is intrinsic or extrinsic, age, amenorrhea, and fertility requirements. If it is just a cyst, it can be treated with medication. When renal function is good and obstruction is mild, conservative drug treatment is the first choice, and changes in renal function should be closely followed up. The follow-up mainly includes continuous IVU examination and blood creatinine and urea nitrogen monitoring.

The above is an introduction to the symptoms of ureteral endometriosis. I believe that after reading the above introduction, you have already understood the symptoms of ureteral endometriosis. This knowledge is very necessary for female friends to know! If you experience the above symptoms, it is best to get a check-up, which is the safest approach.