Multimodality imaging of ureteric disease.

The proximal ureter (upper) extends from the ureteropelvic junction to where the ureter crosses the sacroiliac joint, the middle ureter courses over the bony pelvis and iliac vessels, and the distal or pelvic (lower) ureter extends from the iliac vessels to the bladder. Benign and malignant lesions can affect the ureter and these may be caused by contiguous involvement from the kidney or bladder. The ureter can be imaged by computed tomography; magnetic resonance imaging; direct pyelography, both antegrade and retrograde; nuclear medicine diuretic scan; and voiding cystourethrography. This article discusses benign, malignant, neoplastic, nonneoplastic processes involving the ureter.