Ureteral obstruction secondary to acute sigmoid diverticulitis.

Genitourinary manifestations and complications of sigmoid diverticulitis are well recognized. These consist mainly of bladder symptoms or fistula formation. Ureteral obstruction secondary to acute sigmoid diverticulitis is rare with only 3 cases documented and reported up to the present. All 3 cases were of left ureteral obstruction. Two patients are presented with acute sigmoid diverticulitis complicated by ureteral obstruction -- one of which was obstructed bilaterally. Both patients were admitted with left lower abdominal pain and tenderness and showed elevated temperatures with leukocytosis. Neither had a significant past history of gastrointestinal or urologic disorders. Ureteral obstruction in both patients was documented preoperatively by intravenous pyelography, and postoperative resolution was documented following definitive treatment of the diverticulitis. The proximity of the sigmoid colon to the left ureter should cause more instances of this complication than is reported.