Ureteral Fibroepithelial Polyp

Benign lesions of the ureter are rare, and ureteral fibroepithelial polyps comprise the most common of these benign tumors. They represent hyperplastic fibroconnective tissue with a vascular stroma and a urothelial lining.

Excretory urogram will usually reveal a a smooth, elongated, and cylindric filling defect surrounded by contrast that extends from 1 cm to 5 cm. A corkscrew appearance has also been described. The polyp may be mobile, except for its attachment site.

Differential considerations include radiolucent calculi, blood clots, sloughed papillae, fungus balls, malignant neoplasms, other benign lesions, parasitic infections (e.g., ascariasis), and foreign bodies.

Patients most commonly present with hematuria, but intermittent or recurrent pain may also be seen and are thought to be due to torsion or intussusception of the polyp or to intermittent obstruction.

References

Harvin HJ. Ureteral fibroepithelial polyp on MDCT urography. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2006 Oct;187(4):W434-5.