Korean ureter length: A computed tomography–based study

PURPOSE: We measured ureter length in healthy Koreans using reformatted computed tomography (UL(CT)) and found ways to indirectly estimate ureter length by measuring LL(CT), the length between the ureteropelvic junction and the ureterovesical junction, and standing and sitting height. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 508 ureters of 254 healthy patients (median age, 55.0 years; 148 males and 106 females) were included in this retrospective study. UL(CT), LL(CT), and sitting and standing body height were measured. RESULTS: The mean left and right UL(CT) were 25.2±2.2 and 25.0±2.2 cm, respectively. The mean left and right LL(CT) were 21.1±1.8 and 20.3±1.9 cm, respectively. Standing and sitting body height were 164.1±8.9 and 88.3±4.3 cm, respectively. Height was significantly correlated with UL(CT), but this relation was not linear (r(2)=0.064 standing height, 0.062 sitting height). However, LL(CT) showed a significant linear correlation with UL(CT) (r(2)=0.485). UL(CT) can be estimated indirectly by the following equation: UL(CT)=0.823×LL(CT)+8.093. CONCLUSIONS: We could measure the ureteral length of healthy Koreans by UL(CT). UL(CT) could be estimated indirectly by LL(CT) and standing and sitting height. Of these variables, LL(CT) provided the most accurate estimate of ureteral length.