Incidental finding of retrocaval ureter in a patient without hydronephrosis

Retrocaval or circuncaval ureters are rare congenital anomaly, in which the ureter is located posterior to the inferior vena cava (IVC). Usually, patients present symptoms in the 3rd or 4th decade of life due to compression of the ureter by the IVC, with obstruction of the urinary flow and consequent hydronephrosis. Herein we report the case of a 62-year-old patient who underwent ultrasonography to investigate abdominal pain. The patient had bilateral renal lithiasis associated with urinary tract dilation with no obvious obstruction. Computed tomography of the abdomen demonstrated a retrocaval ureter without hydronephrosis.