Fishhook ureters, also known as “J-shaped ureters” or “hockey stick ureter” describe the course of the distal ureter in patients with significant benign prostatic hypertrophy. It has also been used to describe the appearance of a retrocaval ureter further up, as the right ureter hooks behind the IVC. In this case it has also been refered to as an S-shaped ureter.
References
1. Michael E. Mulligan “Classic Radiologic Signs: An Atlas and History” 1997
2. M.C Uthappa “Retrocavalureter: MR appearances” The British Journal of Radiology,75 (2002),177-179
Original photo of fishing hook (inset) taken by Mike Cline available at wikipedia.org here
Credit: Dr Frank Gaillard
http://www.radpod.org
