The ectopic ureter in men.

The ectopic ureter is less common in male than in female patients. It usually terminates proximally to the external sphincter in the seminal vesicle or vas deferens, and usually involves a nonduplicated drainage system of a dysplastic kidney. Men characteristically present with lower tract symptoms, often epididymitis, a cystic or boggy periprostatic mass on rectal examination and ipsilateral nonvisualization on excretory urography. The embryology, pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of this condition are discussed, and 4 illustrative cases are presented.