Severe Ureteral Endometriosis Complicated with Hydronephrosis: A Case Report

BACKGROUND Endometriosis is a disease characterized by endometrial tissue appearing outside the uterus, mainly involving the peritoneum and pelvic organs. Ureteral endometriosis (UE) is rare, typified by deep infiltrating endometriosis involving the ureter and can result in ureteral obstruction, proximal hydroureter, hydronephrosis, and impairment of renal function. Symptoms may be insidious and nonspecific and may lead to a prolonged disease course. We describe a patient with UE complicated by hydronephrosis. CASE REPORT A 42-year-old woman was admitted to the Urology Department with the incidental discovery of right hydronephrosis. After a thorough examination, she underwent right ureteral mass resection and right ureteral stump anastomosis. The pathology report indicated endometriosis. The patient was given 6 doses of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist immediately after surgery, followed by an intrauterine levonorgestrel-releasing system. Postoperative follow-up showed that no recurrence was observed in this year. Here, we briefly summarize the epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical presentation, imaging, treatment, and prognosis of the disease. CONCLUSIONS UE should be listed as one of the differential diagnoses of unexplained hydronephrosis in women of childbearing age, and those with dysmenorrhea should be cognizant of this disease. Active surgical treatment and long-term management should be carried out to obtain better prognosis.