The interrelationship between paraureteric diverticula, vesicoureteric reflux and duplication of the pelvicaliceal collecting system: a family study.

The incidence of a bifid pelvicaliceal system, vesicoureteric reflux, its sequelae and paraureteric diverticulum was determined in the patients and siblings of 22 patients with a paraureteric diverticulum. The results support the hypothesis that there is a direct genetic relationship between a paraureteric diverticulum, duplication of the pelvicaliceal system and vesicoureteric reflux. This suggests that the vesicoureteric reflux associated with a parauretic diverticulum is primary and related to lateral ectopia of the ureteric orifice. This syndrome complex may be inherited by multiple genes producing a cumulative effect, thus determining the length of the intravesical ureter, or by an autosomal dominant gene of variable penetrance.