Robot-assisted excision of partially obstructing ureteral fibroepithelial polyp in a child: A case report and review of the literature

Background: Fibroepithelial polyps are benign tumors located in the upper ureter and ureter-opelvic junction. Given their location in rare cases they can cause hydronephrosis. Clinically and radiologically, it is difficult to distinguish them from ureteropelvic junction obstruction.Case report: A 6-years boy was admitted with intermittent left flank pain. An ultrasound revealed a III degree hydronephrosis, confirmed by an MR examination which highlighted an obstruction at the level of the middle tract of the ureter. We performed a robotic intervention. During surgery the presence of ureteral polyp was evident as the cause of the obstruction. An end-to-end uretero-ureteral anastomosis was performed.Conclusion: Ureteral polyps were mainly reported in adults, but recently several series revealed higher incidence among pediatric patients. Diagnosis of ureteral polyps is challenging, but even without a definite diagnosis, the best strategy is that of a robotic approach similar to that of the pathologies of the ureteropelvic junction.