Morphometry Of Pelvic Ureter

Abstract

Introduction: Morphometric features of the pelvic ureter such as length and obliquity of the intravesical part are important in etiology of vesicoureteric reflux (VUR). Although differences in morphometry of the ureter may underlie the observed sex disparity in the frequency of vesicoureteric reflux, there is scarcity of comparative data on the organization of the pelvic ureter. This study aimed at determining sex differences in the structure of the pelvic ureter. Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive cross – sectional study carried out at the Department of Human Anatomy University of Nairobi, Kenya. Eighty-eight ureters from black adult Kenyans (48 male and 40 female) were studied. Length and angle at which intravesical ureter lies to the bladder was measured in millimeters and degrees respectively. Data were analyzed using SPSS (Version 16.0, Chicago Illinois) for means and standard deviations. Sex differences in morphometry were determined using the Student’s t test. A value p≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. Pearson’s correlation test was used to test for correlation between length and angle. A Two-tailed test was used to test for significance of the correlation co-efficient. A p – value < 0.01 was considered significant. Results: The mean intravesical length of pelvic ureter in males was 18.69 mm compared to 14.81 mm in females (p – value of <0.001). The angle at which ureters lay to the bladder was 26.75° in males and in females 29.10° (p – value of 0.018). Conclusion: The pelvic ureter displays sex differences in morphometry with the intravesical segment being longer with a more oblique course in males. These features could underlie the higher female predisposition to VUR.