What is a pyelocele?

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Last updated: October 9, 2025View editorial policy

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What is a Pyelocele?

A pyelocele is not a recognized medical condition in current medical literature. Based on the available evidence, there is no established medical entity called "pyelocele" in contemporary urological or radiological terminology.

Analysis of Similar Terms in Medical Literature

The evidence provided does not contain any specific references to a condition called "pyelocele." However, several related terms appear in the medical literature that may help clarify this query:

  • Posterior Colopocele/Colpocele: A herniation of the posterior vaginal wall that can be detected during cystocolpoproctography (CCP) 1

  • Peritoneocele: A herniation of the peritoneal sac, which can be detected through imaging studies such as CCP with sensitivities of approximately 83% 1

  • Enterocele/Sigmoidocele: Herniation of small bowel or sigmoid colon into the rectovaginal space, which can be detected through imaging 1

  • Ureterocele: While not explicitly defined in the provided evidence, this is a recognized condition involving cystic dilation of the distal ureter 1

Possible Interpretations

If attempting to understand what might be meant by "pyelocele," we can analyze the word components:

  • "Pyelo-" typically refers to the renal pelvis (the funnel-like dilated portion of the ureter in the kidney)
  • "-cele" refers to a herniation or protrusion

This might suggest a herniation or protrusion of the renal pelvis, but this is not a standard medical term. The closest recognized conditions would be:

  • Hydronephrosis: Dilation of the renal pelvis due to obstruction 2
  • Ureteropelvic Junction Obstruction (UPJO): Impaired flow of urine from the renal pelvis to the ureter 2

Imaging Considerations for Pelvic Floor Disorders

If investigating pelvic herniation conditions, the following imaging modalities are recommended:

  • Cystocolpoproctography (CCP): A fluoroscopic technique that can detect various pelvic floor abnormalities including enteroceles, sigmoidoceles, and rectoanal intussusceptions 1

  • MR Defecography: Provides high soft-tissue contrast resolution allowing direct visualization of pelvic organs and floor muscles 1

Conclusion

The term "pyelocele" does not appear to be a recognized medical condition in current literature. If you are encountering this term, it may be a misnomer, a rarely used term, or possibly confusion with other "-cele" conditions such as ureterocele, enterocele, or myelocele.

References

Guideline

Guideline Directed Topic Overview

Dr.Oracle Medical Advisory Board & Editors, 2025

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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