Objective To assess whether the mild dilatation of the right ureter in
women that is sometimes seen on intravenous urography (IVU) represent
s persistent dilatation after a previous pregnancy. Patients and metho
ds The intravenous urograms of 71 men, 63 parous and 27 nulliparous wo
men were evaluated prospectively. The two groups of women were divided
into those with and without a confirmed history of urinary tract infe
ction (UTI) as the indication for IVU, producing five groups in all. M
easurements were taken on both the 5-min and the compressed or release
films on each side. Results There were no significant differences in
ureteric diameters among the five groups for the uncompressed right ur
eter (P=0.23), the left ureter uncompressed (P=0.32) or compressed (P=
0.87). For the compressed right ureter, the difference was significant
, with the diameters in the parous women with proven UTIs being larger
than in the other groups (P=0.043). Conclusion There is a significant
increase in the diameter of the compressed right ureter in the group
of parous women with a history of proven UTI, Infection or parity alon
e do not produce this effect; the combination of the two factors is re
quired.