Ureteral triplication: need to see beyond the splitting of the ureteral bud

Abstract

Ureteral triplication is one of the rare anomalies of the urinary system. The following case describes management of child with triple system of right kidney with refluxing upper moiety ureter. It is not unusual to find such clinical presentations but the embryology with relevance to these malformations has been intriguing. The recent knowledge of the molecular mechanisms governing the process of ureteral budding and elongation raises some important questions. The current report discusses and hypothesizes the concept that certain family of molecules may be responsible for helping the ureteral bud to find its way to the respective metanephros. 

Keywords: embryology of ureter, Robo2, Slit2, ureteral triplication, Weigert–Meyer law