Congenital ureteral valves--an abnormality of ureteral embryogenesis?

Congenital ureteral valves are a rare cause of obstructive uropathy and the majority of cases are diagnosed only at surgery or autopsy. A case of congenital ureteral valve associated with an incompletely duplicated kidney is reported and the literature on ureteral valves is reviewed. Modern uroradiological and endoscopic diagnostic techniques should result in a more precise preoperative diagnosis. The high incidence of associated genitourinary anomalies, particularly duplication anomalies, suggests abnormal ureteral embryogenesis as an etiological factor in congenital ureteral valve formation.