Which imaging technique is considered the gold standard for diagnosing an ectopic ureter?

The gold standard for diagnosing an ectopic ureter is cystoscopy. This procedure allows direct visualization of the bladder and urinary tract, enabling healthcare professionals to accurately identify the presence and location of an ectopic ureter. Cystoscopy can also provide the opportunity to assess the ureter's opening, check for associated abnormalities, and potentially address issues during the same procedure. This level of detail and direct observation makes cystoscopy a crucial tool for diagnosis, particularly in evaluating conditions related to urinary tract anomalies.

While other imaging techniques such as CT scans or ultrasound can provide valuable information about the urinary tract's structure and may aid in the diagnosis, they do not offer the same level of direct visualization and potential intervention that cystoscopy does. X-rays, on the other hand, are not particularly effective in diagnosing ureteral conditions due to their inability to provide detailed images of soft tissues and complex structures like the urinary system.