Double Trouble! Rare Complete Duplication of the 
Entire Urinary Tract With Dual Neurogenic Bladders 
Necessitating Dual Intermittent Catheterization
Sanjay Sinha, Lavina Matai

Department of Urology, Apollo Hospital, Hyderabad, India

We report a striking duplication of the entire urinary 
collecting system in an 18-year-old male with 2 renal 
pelves and 2 ureters on either side, along with a complete 
duplication of the bladder and urethra. The patient 
had previously undergone surgical inter ventions 
for lipomeningomyelocele, anorectal malformation, 
rectovesica l f istu la, a nd vesica l ca lcu lus (right 
hemibladder). On videourodynamics, the hemibladders 
showed poor compliance, altered bladder morphology, 
gross secondary vesicoureteral reflux with acontractlity, 
and large post-void residual volumes. The patient’s 
profound urinary incontinence resolved with daily 
administration of solifenacin 5mg and (double) clean 
intermittent catheterization through both the urethrae. 
Serum creatinine was 1.1mg/dL, down from a peak of 
1.45mg/dL, and the severe hydronephrosis has shown 
some improvement.

Figure 1 shows the first MRI image of complete urinary 
tract duplication demonstrating 2 renal pelves and  
2 ureters on either side, 2 hemibladders (sagittal 
duplication) and 2 complete urethrae. Bilateral reflux into  
the lower moiety can be seen on dual urethrocystogram 
via both the urethrae. The glans showed 2 well-
developed urethral meatuses with an intervening bridge 
of tissue consistent with Effman type III (complete) 
duplication[1].

The extraordinary rarity of this condition can be 
attributed to different embryological origins of various 
parts of the urinary tract. The condition encountered 
would require coincidental splitting of the urethral plate, 
the urogenital sinus, and both ureteric buds, as well as 
compatibility with survival[2]. While double ureter is 
encountered in about 1% of the population, the other 
2 conditions have been reported only in sporadic case 
reports[2]. To the best of our knowledge, there are no 
reports of all these abnormalities occurring in the same 
individual. This is also perhaps the first report of dual 
intermittent catheterization to empty 2 lower urinary 
tracts.

FIGURE 1.

MRI, dual urethrocystogram and clinical photograph of the glans. 1A. MRI 
shows 2 renal pelves and 2 ureters (RLU right lower moiety ureter, RUU 
right upper moiety ureter, LLU left lower moiety ureter, LUU left upper 
moiety ureter), the bladder split sagittally into 2 hemibladders (RHB right 
hemibladder, LHB left hemibladder) and complete duplication of the 
urethra (RU urethra draining the right hemibladder, LU urethra draining 
the left hemibladder). 1B. Retrograde urethrocystogram done via both 
the urethrae. The left hemibladder was placed somewhat cranial to the 
right one with reflux into bilateral lower ureters. 1C. Clinical photograph 
showing the 2 well-developed urethrae with an intervening bridge of 
tissue (arrow).

References

1. Effmann EL, Lebowitz RL, Colodny AH. Duplication of the urethra. 
Radiology. 1976;119:179-185.

2. Baskin LS, Cunha G. Embryology of the human genitourinary tract. 
In: Par tin AW, Dmochowski RR, Kavoussi LR, Peters CA, Eds. 
Campbell-Walsh-Wein Urology. 12th Edition. Philadelphia, PA: 
Elsevier 2020; 305-340.

Key Words Conflict of Interest Article Information

Complete duplication of urethra, complete 
duplication of urinary bladder, neurogenic 
bladder, complete duplication of urinary tract

None declared.

Patient Consent: Obtained.

Received on September 6, 2020 
Accepted on October 7, 2020

Soc Int Urol J. 2021;2(1):72

72 SIUJ  •  Volume 2, Number 1  •  January 2020 SIUJ.ORG

CLINICAL PICTURE

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