Association of urinary tract infection and reflux with uninhibited bladder contractions and voluntary sphincteric obstruction

The relative incidence of detrusor instability and bacterial cystitis detected on the urodynamic-test day

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether patients with detrusor instability (DI) were more likely to have bacterial cystitis or significant bacteriuria on the urodynamic-test day than were women with a stable bladder.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A catheter specimen of urine was cultured (overnight in air) from 862 consecutive women at the time of urodynamic testing. The upper urinary tract was imaged, with cystoscopy when indicated, to exclude upper tract lesions or malignancy. The percentage of patients with pure idiopathic DI and those with mixed DI/genuine stress incontinence (GSI), in whom the urine culture was positive, was compared with the percentage who had a stable bladder (pure GSI or urodynamically normal) and a positive urine culture, both for the entire dataset and for women aged > or <65 years. Data were also analysed to detect the converse relationship; in those women found to have bacterial cystitis, the relative risk of being found urodynamically unstable or stable was determined.

RESULTS

The likelihood of bacterial cystitis occurring in patients with idiopathic DI (5.6%) was significantly greater than that in patients with GSI (1.1%; P = 0.009, Fisher's exact test). The proportion of patients with DI and significant bacteriuria (15. 4%) was significantly greater than that in patients with GSI (7.9%; P = 0.02). In patients with combined pure and mixed DI, bacterial cystitis was significantly more likely to occur (6.3%) than in GSI (P < 0.001), but bacteriuria was no more likely (12.5%, P = 0.09). Conversely, of those women found to have bacterial cystitis, the relative risk of having an unstable bladder was increased (+1.56), but for those with bacteriuria the relative risk of detrusor instability was not increased.

CONCLUSION

There was a significant association between idiopathic DI and bacterial cystitis, and we suggest that in some women with an unstable bladder, urinary infection may enhance detrusor contractility. Nevertheless, large-scale studies are needed of the temporal relationship between the onset of bacterial cystitis and the onset of DI.

In vitro contractile responses of detrusor to carbachol and neurokinin A, in children with recurrent urinary tract infection or day wetting

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether a history of recurrent urinary tract infection (UTI) and/or the presence of day-wetting/urge symptoms might influence the contractile responses to the cholinergic agonist carbachol or to the sensory neuropeptide neurokinin A (NKA) in the urinary bladder in children.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Small detrusor strips were taken from the margin of the cystotomy incision of the bladder dome during surgery to correct vesico-ureteric reflux (VUR) in 62 children (aged 4 months to 12 years) or for unrelated bladder conditions in five controls (aged 3 months to 13 years). Concentration-response curves to carbachol and NKA were constructed using organ-bath techniques, and results compared for age, sex, weight of the detrusor strip, UTI history or day-wetting syndrome.

RESULTS

The contractile responses to NKA were no different for any of the features investigated. The contractile response to carbachol and NKA in detrusor from control and VUR patients was not significantly different. The children with a history of UTI were significantly older than those without. The contractility in response to carbachol was greater in older girls (aged 4-12 years) than younger girls (< 4 years) and than in all boys (< 4 years and 4-12 years; ANOVA P = 0.013). The mean (SEM) maximum contractile response to carbachol in the group of 20 young children (4-30 months) with previous UTI was 3.0 (0.3) g, whereas the maximum response in the age-matched group of 11 without UTI was 1.8 (0.3) g (P = 0.046). There were no significant differences in maximum responses between those with day-wetting and those without (aged > 4 years), although there was a significant difference in pD2 value, at 6.19 (0.13) and 5.58 (0.14), respectively (P = 0.018).

CONCLUSION

Carbachol produced a larger contractile response in detrusor from children with a history of UTI than from those without, indicating possible alterations in muscarinic receptor characteristics. An increased sensitivity to muscarinic stimulation in day-wetting children was also suggested, whereas NKA is unlikely to be involved in any of these pathophysiological conditions.

The overactive bladder in childhood: long-term results with conservative management

PURPOSE

Idiopathic detrusor overactivity has not been thoroughly investigated and its natural history remains largely anecdotal. Bladder overactivity resulting from a neurogenic, anatomical or medical condition has been well described. Therefore, we assessed the long-term results of conservative treatment of children with idiopathic symptomatic refractory detrusor instability.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We reviewed the records of 58 patients who had an isolated finding of uninhibited contractions on urodynamics performed for refractory enuresis and daytime wetting between 1988 and 1994. Study exclusion criteria were chronic urinary tract infection, neurological lesion, anatomical abnormality of the lower urinary tract and less than 12 months of followup.

RESULTS

Of the 30 children who met our study inclusion criteria 26 (87%) had complete (21) or significant (5) symptom resolution. Average time to resolution was 2.7 years (range 0.2 to 6.6). Patients with a 50% to 90% bladder capacity expected for age were more likely to benefit from therapy than those with a bladder capacity outside of this range. Age and gender were not significant predictors of resolution although girls were more likely to have resolution than boys.

CONCLUSIONS

Idiopathic detrusor instability is amenable to conservative management in the majority of patients during a prolonged period. We advocate thorough urological and urodynamic evaluation to identify idiopathic detrusor instability as an etiology of enuresis and daytime wetting in complicated cases.

The usefulness of a minimal urodynamic evaluation and pelvic floor biofeedback in children with chronic voiding dysfunction

OBJECTIVE

To report our experience of assessing children with chronic voiding dysfunction (>6 months' duration) using a minimal urodynamic evaluation, and the management of detrusor-sphincter dyscoordination (DSdc) using pelvic floor biofeedback.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From 1994 to 1997, 120 children (mean age 7.5 years) with three predominant and associated symptoms were referred to one urologist; they had nocturnal enuresis (28 children), urge incontinence (42) or urinary tract infection (50). All patients were assessed by urinary culture, renal ultrasonography and a minimal urodynamic evaluation, i.e. urinary flowmetry with sphincter electromyography (EMG) using perineal surface electrodes. If they had urinary tract infection and/or renal dilatation, they underwent voiding cysto-urethrography. In children with DSdc, urinary training with frequent voiding was instituted initially, with subsequent pelvic floor biofeedback exercises if the improvement was deemed unsatisfactory.

RESULTS

DSdc was diagnosed in 33 children (28%), none of whom had isolated nocturnal enuresis. Pelvic floor biofeedback was undertaken by 15 children (12 girls and three boys); it was well accepted because it was administered as a computer game. In all affected patients the DSdc resolved on EMG and there was a significant clinical improvement. Vesico-ureteric reflux was detected in 24 patients, associated with DSdc in 10. The reflux resolved spontaneously on antibiotic prophylaxis in six children and after urinary re-education in four.

CONCLUSION

A minimal urodynamic evaluation seems to be useful in the diagnosis of DSdc which caused urinary tract infection and/or bladder overactivity. The results with pelvic floor biofeedback were excellent in these children.

Evaluation and management of pediatric urinary tract infections

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are relatively common in children. We describe the evaluation and management of children with UTIs, as well as the risks and consequences related to the UTI. This article describes a rational approach to the evaluation and management of childhood UTIs with the relation to the natural history and risk factors.

A multicenter outcomes analysis of patients with neonatal reflux presenting with prenatal hydronephrosis

PURPOSE

Approximately 10 to 30% of prenatal cases of hydronephrosis result in the postnatal diagnosis of vesicoureteral reflux. Using a new generic prenatal-postnatal data sheet developed by the Society for Fetal Urology the characteristics, natural history and outcome of prenatal hydronephrosis confirmed postnatally to be vesicoureteral reflux were documented at 3 centers.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We performed a retrospective multicenter review of Society for Fetal Urology data sheets completed for each patient in whom prenatal hydronephrosis was proved to be postnatal vesicoureteral reflux from 1993 to 1998.

RESULTS

In 56 male and 15 female patients with prenatal hydronephrosis a total of 116 refluxing renal units were confirmed postnatally. Of the 116 renal units 112 were hydronephrotic prenatally. During gestation increased hydronephrosis was noted with voiding in 4 cases. Of the 112 hydronephrotic renal units only 26 ureters in 15 patients were seen prenatally. The obstetrician considered the diagnosis of vesicoureteral reflux in only 24% of the cases. Postnatally 116 refluxing renal units were identified. Initial postnatal ultrasound was normal in 25% of the cases. Bilateral reflux was present in 36 male and 9 female patients. In 10 of the 19 uncircumcised patients (53%) urinary tract infection developed despite antibiotic prophylaxis. In 15 of the 74 renal units with grades III to V reflux the condition resolved at an average patient age of 0.9 and 2.1 years in boys and girls, respectively. A total of 27 refluxing renal units were reimplanted.

CONCLUSIONS

The majority of prenatal reflux occurs in boys, and it is high grade and bilateral. The data sheets designed by the Society for Fetal Urology are useful data collection instruments. The presentation and natural history of vesicoureteral reflux are different in male and female individuals. In a significant number of renal units high grade reflux resolves spontaneously. Early circumcision may decrease the incidence of breakthrough urinary tract infection in this subpopulation. In addition, the effective management of prenatally detected reflux depends on multispecialty communication.

Pelvic floor muscle retraining for pediatric voiding dysfunction using interactive computer games

PURPOSE

We evaluated a new noninvasive outpatient method of pelvic muscle retraining in children using computer game assisted biofeedback.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All patients in whom voiding dysfunction was confirmed by history, uroflowmetry-electromyography and voiding cystourethrography were enrolled in a pelvic floor muscle retraining program. Patients received a pretreatment, mid treatment and posttreatment survey instrument documenting subjective improvement, including the frequency of diurnal enuresis, nocturnal enuresis, constipation and encopresis. Pretreatment and posttreatment simultaneous uroflowmetry surface electrode electromyography was performed and post-void residual urine volume was determined in all patients.

RESULTS

A total of 8 boys and 33 girls 5 to 11 years old (mean age 7.2) completed therapy and were available for evaluation. These patients completed 2 to 11 (average 6) hourly treatment sessions. Followup was 3 to 15 months (average 7). At the midterm evaluation improvement in nocturnal enuresis was reported by 57% of the patients, diurnal enuresis by 84%, constipation by 83% and encopresis by 91%. End treatment evaluation revealed improvement in nocturnal enuresis by 90% of patients, diurnal enuresis by 89%, constipation by 100% and encopresis by 100%. Uroflowmetry-electromyography patterns improved in 42% of the patients and post-void residual urine decreased in 57%. Comparison of initial to end recorded millivoltage pelvic floor muscle values demonstrated that 56% of the patients had lower resting tone at the beginning of the session after completing therapy and 78% had improved contracting tone after performing Kegel exercises, as proved by increased microvoltage values. Initial uroflowmetry-electromyography revealed certain categories of cases, including a flattened voiding curve with a hyperactive pelvic floor and low post-void residual urine in 40%, a flattened voiding curve with a hyperactive pelvic floor and high post-void residual urine in 40%, a staccato voiding curve with a hyperactive pelvic floor and low post-void residual urine in 3%, and a staccato voiding curve with a hyperactive pelvic floor and high post-void residual urine in 17%. Of the girls 91% presented with the classic spinning top deformity on voiding cystourethrography. A total of 22 patients presented with a significant history of recurrent urinary tract infections, and infection developed in 3 during treatment and followup. Vesicoureteral reflux in 14 patients resolved during treatment in 3, reimplantation was performed in 1 and 10 are still being observed.

CONCLUSIONS

A program of conservative medical management with computer game assisted pelvic floor muscle retraining resulted in significant subjective improvement in continence, constipation and encopresis as well as objective improvement in uroflowmetry-electromyography, post-void residual urine volume and the microvoltage value of pelvic floor muscles in the majority of patients with dysfunctional voiding.

A multicenter outcomes analysis of patients with neonatal reflux presenting with prenatal hydronephrosis

PURPOSE

Approximately 10 to 30% of prenatal cases of hydronephrosis result in the postnatal diagnosis of vesicoureteral reflux. Using a new generic prenatal-postnatal data sheet developed by the Society for Fetal Urology the characteristics, natural history and outcome of prenatal hydronephrosis confirmed postnatally to be vesicoureteral reflux were documented at 3 centers.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We performed a retrospective multicenter review of Society for Fetal Urology data sheets completed for each patient in whom prenatal hydronephrosis was proved to be postnatal vesicoureteral reflux from 1993 to 1998.

RESULTS

In 56 male and 15 female patients with prenatal hydronephrosis a total of 116 refluxing renal units were confirmed postnatally. Of the 116 renal units 112 were hydronephrotic prenatally. During gestation increased hydronephrosis was noted with voiding in 4 cases. Of the 112 hydronephrotic renal units only 26 ureters in 15 patients were seen prenatally. The obstetrician considered the diagnosis of vesicoureteral reflux in only 24% of the cases. Postnatally 116 refluxing renal units were identified. Initial postnatal ultrasound was normal in 25% of the cases. Bilateral reflux was present in 36 male and 9 female patients. In 10 of the 19 uncircumcised patients (53%) urinary tract infection developed despite antibiotic prophylaxis. In 15 of the 74 renal units with grades III to V reflux the condition resolved at an average patient age of 0.9 and 2.1 years in boys and girls, respectively. A total of 27 refluxing renal units were reimplanted.

CONCLUSIONS

The majority of prenatal reflux occurs in boys, and it is high grade and bilateral. The data sheets designed by the Society for Fetal Urology are useful data collection instruments. The presentation and natural history of vesicoureteral reflux are different in male and female individuals. In a significant number of renal units high grade reflux resolves spontaneously. Early circumcision may decrease the incidence of breakthrough urinary tract infection in this subpopulation. In addition, the effective management of prenatally detected reflux depends on multispecialty communication.

The office management of recurrent urinary tract infection and vesicoureteral reflux in children

Recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) and vesicoureteral reflux are common diagnosis' in infants and children who are referred to a urologist. Recurrent UTIs in these patients can be challenging, especially when radiographic evaluation reveals no structural abnormality. Prophylaxis and correction of voiding and bowel dysfunction are important treatment strategies. Febrile UTIs are commonly associated with reflux and should be treated aggressively to avoid renal scarring and its sequelae. Based on a comprehensive survey of the literature, long-term treatment strategies for children with reflux are now available.

The relationship among dysfunctional elimination syndromes, primary vesicoureteral reflux and urinary tract infections in children

PURPOSE

We determine whether functional bladder and/or bowel disorders influence the natural history or treatment of children with primary vesicoureteral reflux.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We assessed 143 children with primary vesicoureteral reflux that stopped spontaneously or was surgically corrected for functional bowel and/or bladder disorders, including bladder instability, constipation and infrequent voiding, termed the dysfunctional elimination syndromes.

RESULTS

Dysfunctional elimination syndromes were present in 66 of 143 children (43%) thought to have primary vesicoureteral reflux. Of these 66 patients 54 (82%) had a breakthrough urinary tract infection and underwent reimplantation compared to only 18% without the syndromes. Of 70 children who had a breakthrough urinary tract infection dysfunctional elimination syndromes were present in 54 (77%) and absent in 16 (23%). Of the remaining 73 patients who did not have a breakthrough infection dysfunctional elimination syndromes were present in 12 (16%) and absent in 61 (84%). In children with dysfunctional elimination syndromes the resolution of reflux that was 1 grade less severe required an average of 1.6 years longer. After the disappearance of reflux, urinary tract infection developed in 18 children, including 14 (78%) with dysfunctional elimination syndromes. Unsuccessful surgical outcomes involving persistent, recurrent and contralateral reflux occurred only in children with dysfunctional elimination syndromes.

CONCLUSIONS

Dysfunctional elimination syndromes are common and are often unrecognized in children with primary reflux. These syndromes are associated with delayed reflux resolution and an increased rate of breakthrough urinary tract infection, which leads to reimplantation surgery. Dysfunctional elimination syndromes also adversely affect the results of reimplantation and represent a risk for recurrent urinary tract infection after reflux resolves. The evaluation and management of dysfunctional elimination syndromes should be an integral part of the treatment of every child with vesicoureteral reflux. Effective evaluation and treatment may be made cost-effective by decreasing the followup, the number of breakthrough urinary tract infections and the number of children requiring reimplantation.

Biofeedback therapy for children with dysfunctional voiding

OBJECTIVES

Biofeedback therapy has been recognized as a treatment option for children with classic dysfunctional voiding (DV) where there is inadequate pelvic floor relaxation during voiding. However, there are few articles that discuss methodology and limited sites where it is available. In the hope of making biofeedback a more practical and accessible option, we report our indications, easy to duplicate methodology, and results.

METHODS

Twenty-one consecutive children diagnosed with DV refractory to standard therapy were enrolled in our biofeedback program. Therapy consisted of extensive age-appropriate explanations of DV and demonstrations of normal and abnormal voiding patterns. Cyclic uroflow studies with pelvic floor electromyography are performed, which the child monitors on analog chart and audio recorders. The child returns weekly until consistent relaxation of the pelvic floor during voiding is demonstrated. Timing between sessions is then increased to monitor progress and retention of concepts previously taught.

RESULTS

An excellent clinical response was one in which there was consistent relaxation of the pelvic floor throughout voiding, normal flow pattern, and no residual urine volume (urodynamic response), coupled with profound resolution of voiding symptoms. Seventeen of 21 (81%) had an excellent response, 3 (14%) had a fair response, and 1 (5%) was too inconsistent to rate. The average number of sessions to achieve a consistent urodynamic response was 3.7 (range 2 to 14) and full clinical response somewhat longer. Average follow-up since beginning therapy has been 34 months (range 14 to 51).

CONCLUSIONS

Biofeedback therapy is an effective method for treating DV with poor pelvic floor relaxation. Although initially labor intensive, it yields sustained positive results in most patients in a short time.

Urinary tract infection, day wetting and other voiding symptoms in seven- to eight-year-old Danish children

In this cross-sectional epidemiological questionnaire survey of 7-8-y-old Danish school entrants with focus on voiding habits, 29% were found to have symptoms that could suggest that bladder control was not fully developed. The frequency of day wetting, urgency, emptying difficulties, nocturnal enuresis, nocturia and encopresis, and the median frequency of voidings are presented. Furthermore, the relationship between urinary tract infections, day wetting, encopresis and voiding habits is investigated. There was an association between previous urinary tract infection in girls and current voiding symptoms, suggesting bladder dysfunction as a predisposing factor to infections. In particular, focus should be placed on girls with squatting on urge and/or emptying difficulties.

Urinary tract infections in children. Epidemiology, evaluation, and management

Accurate documentation of UTIs in children is essential for proper evaluation and management. Urine cultures with multiple organisms or colony counts less than 50,000 to 100,000 CFU/ml should be considered suspect and require confirmation, particularly with clean-catch specimens. Children with well-documented UTIs should be evaluated based on their age and presenting symptoms. Infants and young children require imaging, usually with a cystogram and sonogram of the kidneys and bladder. Older girls with febrile UTIs and boys at any age should also be considered for urinary tract imaging. Renal cortical scintigraphy with 99mTc-DMSA has emerged as the imaging study of choice for acute pyelonephritis and renal scarring in children with UTIs. Treatment of UTIs in children ideally commences with culture-specific antimicrobial therapy, although treatment may be started in sick children before culture results are available. Short-course treatment (3-5 days) is sufficient for children with acute uncomplicated lower UTIs. Children with acute pyelonephritis require 10 to 14 days of antibiotics, which can be administered on an outpatient basis in older infants and children who are not toxic, as long as good compliance is expected. Patients with first-time UTIs who require imaging should be maintained on low-dose antibiotic prophylaxis until their workup is completed. Treatment of ABU does not seem necessary if the urinary tract is otherwise normal. Long-term antibiotic prophylaxis is indicated for children with frequent symptomatic recurrences of UTI and for those with known VUR. Diagnosis and treatment of underlying voiding dysfunction and constipation is an essential component of the successful management of UTIs in children.

Elevated sleep arousal thresholds in enuretic boys: clinical implications

Enuretic children are described as difficult to arouse from sleep. We studied auditory sleep arousal thresholds in enuretic boys and report on the clinical implications of these findings. Fifteen enuretic and 18 control subjects (7-12-year-old males) were studied in a sleep laboratory for four consecutive nights using standard polysomnographic recording techniques. Sleep was undisturbed for the initial two nights and waking thresholds were measured on the following two nights. Enuretic children wet most frequently in the first two-thirds of the night. Arousal attempts were successful 39.7% of the time in controls and only 9.3% of the time in enuretics. In conclusion, enuretic males were more difficult to arouse than age-matched controls. The elevated arousal thresholds may be due to delayed maturation. Treatment programmes that rely on awakening should be aware of these features.

Urodynamics in boys after prenatally diagnosed vesicoureteric reflux

Over the years, several theories have been presented regarding the pathogenesis of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) in children without neurological disease or posterior urethral valves. Primary VUR is one of many fetal uropathies detectable by prenatal sonography. Thirteen boys with a prenatal diagnosis of hydronephrosis and postnatally demonstrated VUR had a urodynamic evaluation carried out at the age of 1 to 26 weeks. The renal function was evaluated by renography and estimation of glomerular filtration rate. Maximum detrusor pressure at voiding was significantly higher in the group of patients with VUR and impaired renal function compared to: (1) reflux patients with bilateral normal renal function; and (2) "normal" controls. Patients with normal bilateral renal and bladder function had a low risk of urinary tract infection during the period of follow-up (1 to 6 years). Early urodynamic studies in infants with VUR are important in order to clarify the pathogenesis of reflux and plan treatment strategy.

Non-neurogenic bladder and chronic renal insufficiency in childhood

Functional voiding disorders and urinary tract infections are common in childhood, but are usually not accompanied by upper urinary tract deterioration. Nevertheless a small group of children remain at risk of developing chronic renal insufficiency (CRI). Clinically these children present day and night wetting. The most important parameter, however, is urinary retention which is reflected by an abnormal voiding pattern in the uroflow curve. After ruling out patients with neurogenic or anatomical disorders, nine girls with psychogenic urine retention were observed for 5 years. Terminal renal insufficiency was seen in one, CRI in five patients and in three patients the kidney function could be maintained, but they all had severe scarring of at least one kidney. Furthermore, all revealed a dilation of the bladder and the upper urinary tract. Vesicoureteral reflux occurred in six and obstruction of the ureterovesical junction in three patients. Two girls underwent repeated reflux surgery resulting in a rapid deterioration of renal function. Three patients developed hypertension and one had a hypertensive crisis with microangiopathic anaemia and acute renal failure. Psychogenic disorders and problematic family settings were observed in all cases. Bladder training, transitory suprapubic catheters, intermittent catheterisation, medication and psychotherapy can avoid severe kidney damage and achieve a stabilisation of renal function. It is important to bear this syndrome in mind when evaluating girls with asymptomatic bacteriuria and urinary retention.

Dysfunctional voiding syndromes and vesicoureteral reflux

Micturition disorders simulating neurogenic bladder disease have been loosely termed "dysfunctional voiding". No underlying neuropathy can be found. A variety of voiding disturbances have been identified since the early 1970s, each with its own characteristics and clinical relevance. We have classified voiding dysfunctions into mild, moderate and severe, according to their potential impact on the upper tracts. Bladder instability, the Hinman syndrome and the Ochoa syndrome are the only dysfunctional voiding syndromes that are associated with reflux or ureterovesical obstruction. Each syndrome is briefly described.

Functional obstruction of the female urethra: relevance to refractory bed wetting and recurrent urinary tract infection

A 20-year-old woman and 3 girls were referred to our urodynamic unit because of refractory bed wetting, recurrent urinary tract infection, and/or weak stream. All patients required extremely high detrusor pressure to evacuate urine, a mean of 116 cm of water. Urethral configuration was either a ballooning or a spinning-top shape. Organic stenosis of the urethra was not detected by bougie à boule. Urodynamically, functional obstruction at the distal urethra was found to be an etiology of these symptoms. When the urethra was dilated with the Otis urethrotome, all patients were greatly benefitted both symptomatically and urodynamically without an adverse effect of urinary incontinence. We stress clinical importance of pressure flow study and fluoroscopic monitoring of the bladder and urethra when one encounters female patients with long histories of above symptoms.

The importance of urinary tract infection in the evaluation of the incontinent child

Diurnal incontinence secondary to dysfunctional voiding is a problem that is commonly encountered by the pediatric urologist. We have observed that reflux is more common in these children and hypothesized that urinary tract infection would influence the rate of reflux as well as the rate of significant urinary tract abnormalities, such as renal scarring. We prospectively evaluated 308 incontinent children with a voiding cystourethrogram and upper tract studies. Of these patients 162 (53%) had had previous culture proved urinary tract infection, while 146 (47%) had no history of infection. A total of 90 patients (29%) had an abnormal voiding cystourethrogram, which demonstrated reflux in all but 1. Among the patients with a history of urinary tract infection reflux was found in 34% compared to 23.3% in those with no history of urinary tract infection (p = 0.82). Five patients had significant cortical scarring, of whom 4 had grade III or greater reflux along with urinary tract infection. We conclude that urinary tract infection is not helpful in determining which patients with dysfunctional voiding will exhibit vesicoureteral reflux but it is important in detecting significant upper tract abnormalities, such as renal scarring. We discuss appropriate evaluation in children who present with incontinence secondary to dysfunctional voiding with or without urinary tract infections.

Bacterial factors in the formation of renal scars. An experimental study on the role of Escherichia coli P-fimbriation and hydrophobicity

A model capable of comparing the effects of bacterial virulence factors on renal scarring in vivo has been developed using the female piglet. By creating, at open surgery, unilateral vesicoureteric reflux (VUR) and quantifying scarring both by uptake of an isotope bound to functioning renal parenchyma and by planimetry of the surface area scarred, the effects of 2 organisms, a P-fimbriate Escherichia coli and an E. coli K1 have been compared. The P-fimbriate E. coli was shown to express P-fimbriae in freshly voided urine, was more hydrophobic and produced smaller scars. This indicates that neither the hydrophobicity nor P-fimbriation of the organism causing urinary tract infection (UTI) is of prime importance for the development of renal scars and is evidence against the "big bang" theory for the development of renal scars. Studies on the association of UTI with VUR showed that infection with both E. coli under study led to VUR on the side contralateral to the side undergoing surgery. It seems likely that a non-specific effect of UTI, such as bladder oedema, is responsible for this acquired VUR. An effect of the 2 bacteria under study on the lower urinary tract was observed in that infection with the P-fimbriate E. coli allowed the retention of an intravesical wax plug, whereas infection with E. coli K1 did not. Epidemiological data have shown that the majority of upper urinary tract infections in children are associated with UTI by P-fimbriate organisms. Such an association may be explained in part by an effect of P-fimbriate bacteria on lower urinary tract function rather than an effect on the upper urinary tract.

Relationship of voiding dysfunction to urinary tract infection and vesicoureteral reflux in children

A total of 109 children were evaluated for urinary tract infections or for voiding dysfunction without infections. The relationship of voiding dysfunction to urinary infection and vesicoureteral reflux was then examined in girls. The number of males studied was too small for statistical analysis. While 40.6 percent of females with infections had voiding dysfunction, in 66.6 percent of those females having voiding dysfunction infections also developed. Voiding dysfunction was noted in 33.3 percent of females with reflux, probably due to the strong association of reflux and infections. However, all of females with voiding dysfunction, only 20.6 percent also had reflux. These findings were statistically significant (p = 0.01) and suggest that voiding dysfunction is common in girls with infections, perhaps even predisposing to the development of infections. However, voiding dysfunction in this population did not predispose to reflux.

Enuresis and the voiding cystourethrogram: a re-evaluation

Eighty-three children with a chief complaint of nocturnal enuresis and no history of urinary tract infection (UTI) were prospectively evaluated with a contrast voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG). The following four historical details of presentation were noted: primary vs. secondary enuresis, daytime wetting, urgency, and frequency. Each of these four symptoms were treated as a dichotomous variable, and the prognostic value with respect to vesicoureteral (VUR) reflux was assessed using a linear logistic regression model. Nineteen ureters in 13 patients (16%) demonstrated VUR: grade I, 7 ureters; grade II, 5 ureters; grade III, 3 ureters; grade IV, 4 ureters; and grade V, 0 ureters. Three patients demonstrated renal scarring (16%) and 2 patients underwent surgery. The linear regression analysis revealed that no one symptom, group of symptoms, or absence of all four symptoms segregated those patients likely to have reflux with statistical validity. One of 6 children, therefore, who present with nocturnal enuresis and sterile urine will have reflux. Screening these children with a VCUG should be considered.

Bladder augmentation in patients with neurogenic bladder and vesicoureteral reflux

Current treatment of noncompliant neurogenic bladder associated with significant vesicoureteral reflux that is refractory to intermittent self-catheterization and anticholinergic therapy includes bladder augmentation coupled with a procedure to eliminate reflux. Antireflux surgery is often difficult in such a clinical setting. The diseased and thickened detrusor makes reimplantation into the bladder difficult, and successful reimplantation into the intestinal component is tricky and time-consuming. Augmentation alone was done in 14 patients with significant vesicoureteral reflux in the face of a noncompliant, high pressure neurogenic bladder. No effort was made to correct reflux surgically because, in theory, reflux is secondary to abnormal bladder pressure. Of the 13 patients who have had adequate evaluation with postoperative cystograms 12 no longer have reflux. The reflux in the remaining patient has improved from grade IV to grade II. Postoperative cystometric examination in 12 patients demonstrated low pressure and adequate volume. Correction of bladder dynamics alone reversed the reflux. Conversely, persistence of reflux postoperatively is an indication that augmentation has not successfully returned the bladder to a low pressure reservoir. Our experience indicates that antireflux procedures are not routinely needed in this group of patients.

Vesicoureteric reflux and renal injury

Renal injury associated with the intrarenal reflux (IRR) of urine that is either infected, under high pressure, or both, is a major cause of severe hypertension during childhood and adolescence and of chronic renal insufficiency in patients less than 30 years of age. Many, but not all, adolescent and adult patients with reflux nephropathy (RN) give a history of urinary tract infection (UTI) or unexplained fevers in infancy or early childhood, when the kidney is thought to be at greatest risk of injury. Although vesicoureteric reflux (VUR) is observed more commonly in infants than children with UTI, it is rare in uninfected patients at any age and should never be considered a normal finding during human development. Renal scarring may not be obvious in radiographic or radionuclear studies to medical management alone, no definite benefit of one over the other was observed, regardless of the grade of VUR. Moreover, progressive renal injury in scarred kidneys has been noted even after VUR had been corrected, when infection had been prevented, and while hypertension had been controlled satisfactorily. Focal glomerular sclerosis, a lesion found in patients with proteinuria and RN, has been identified not only in scarred kidneys, but also may be seen in contralateral, unscarred kidneys without VUR, which might suggest a humoral factor or, perhaps, a hyperfiltration phenomenon. RN is one of the most frequent causes of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in children, adolescents, and young adults, which is potentially preventable. However, prevention will depend on early identification of patients at risk--infants and young children after the first UTI and siblings of patients with VUR--aggressive and effective treatment of UTI, minimizing intravesical pressure, and education of patients, parents, and physicians.

Association between urinary symptoms at 7 years old and previous urinary tract infection

The association between current micturition habits and previous urinary tract infection was analysed among 3553 school entrants aged 7 years by means of a questionnaire. A high incidence of urinary infection, confirmed by urine culture, was found (145 (8.4%) in the 1719 girls and 32 (1.7%) in the 1834 boys). There was a significant association between current symptoms that were suggestive of disturbed bladder function and previous urinary tract infection, but only among girls who were over 3 years of age at the time the first episode was diagnosed.

Quantitation of vesico-ureteral reflux by radionuclide cystography and urodynamics

A method is described for the quantitation of vesico-ureteral reflux by synchronous combined direct radionuclide cystography and urodynamics. Intravesical pressures and volumes are co-ordinated with volumes of reflux. Peak reflux volumes in 11 children diagnosed as having severe (grades 3-4) reflux on conventional contrast cystography ranged from 1 to 50 ml/kidney. A number of different patterns of reflux were observed. Reflux may occur progressively throughout low pressure filling or incrementally with unstable bladder contractions. Reflux during voiding may be maximal as detrusor pressure falls. The method requires wider application to explore the potential for a functional classification of the reflux problem.

Urodynamic studies in children who wet

The value of urodynamic evaluation was assessed in children with diurnal and/or nocturnal enuresis without overt obstruction or neuropathy. The hypothesis that children with bladder instability and dysfunctional voiding represent 2 separate populations was also examined. A simplified urodynamic method was used to evaluate 191 children and they were divided into 3 groups: 64 had normal bladders which were stable during filling and voiding was co-ordinated and complete; 97 had unstable bladders but voiding was normal and co-ordinated; 30 had dyssynergic voiding and an increased volume of residual urine. The urodynamic evaluations were helpful in distinguishing the large number of children with normal findings in whom the problem was motivational. The children with unstable bladders had a physiological abnormality due to delayed maturation and in these cases anticholinergic and musculotrophic agents were usually helpful. The dysfunctional voiders had serious behavioural problems, were difficult to treat, and often required a multidisciplinary approach. These data indicate that there are indeed 2 distinct groups: 1 with instability alone and 1 with dysfunctional voiding with or without instability. Although infection and/or reflux are common in the former, the more devastating urinary tract changes, particularly heavy trabeculation and elongation of the bladder, occur in the latter group.

Day wetting

About 1% of healthy children over the age of 5 years have troublesome daytime wetting. Two-thirds of those who wet by day are reliably dry at night. The problem is more common in girls and is usually the result of urge incontinence. Although the wetting may be exacerbated by giggling and/or stress, pure giggle micturition and isolated stress incontinence are both rare. There is a strong association with bacteriuria (50% prevalence) in girls who wet by day. A potentially important relationship exists between day wetting, infection, reflux and upper tract damage, which is expressed in an extreme form in the syndromes of incoordinated voiding and progressive renal damage. Most children who wet by day have unstable bladders. Many of them adopt characteristic "holding" postures. There is an increased incidence of emotional disorder compared with children who merely wet the bed. Between 10% and 15% of children who wet by day become dry during the next 12 months. The acquisition of dryness is accelerated by eradication of bacteriuria and a sympathetic and energetic management regime, which should place responsibility on the child and result in the child voiding more frequently and completely. Reminder alarms and other behaviour therapies have proved effective. There is no satisfactory evidence for the efficacy of drugs. More complex behavioural training regimes including biofeedback are valuable for severe cases.

Vesicoureteral reflux and voiding dysfunction: a prospective study

We prospectively studied 53 young children (45 less than 4 years old) between 1985 and 1988 with primary vesicoureteral reflux (grades I to V, 74 ureters). All patients had elevated bladder pressures during bladder filling and/or voiding on urodynamic evaluation, which sometimes were associated with abnormal perineal muscle activity. Baclofen, flavoxate, dicyclomine and diazepam were given individually or in combination for each type of dysfunction for 12 to 30 months. Reflux disappeared in 68 ureters (91.8 per cent) and it was downgraded in 6 (8.2 per cent). Urodynamic evaluation at the end of treatment revealed normal bladder pressures in 46 children (83.7 per cent of the ureters in which reflux resolved). Another group of 48 children with primary vesicoureteral reflux (grades I to IV, 67 ureters) seen between 1980 and 1985 was reviewed retrospectively. All patients had been treated with prophylactic antibiotics only. Reflux resolved in 53.7 per cent of the ureters, and it was downgraded in 19.4 per cent, unchanged in 22.4 per cent and upgraded in 4.5 per cent. Urodynamic studies performed in 1985 showed that all persistent cases of reflux in the retrospective group had urodynamic findings similar to those found in the prospective group. These data suggest that vesicoperineal incoordination as well as bladder instability can be important factors in causing and perpetuating reflux, and that medical treatment of these factors individually or in combination may affect therapeutic perspectives of this pathological condition.

Renal function after autotransplantation with direct pyelocystostomy. Long-term follow-up

The function of 20 human autologous kidney grafts was studied for 4 to 8 years (mean 5 1/2) after autotransplantation with a direct pyelocystostomy. The indications for the operation were low-grade, low-stage tumour of the renal pelvis and/or ureter, frequently recurrent renal stones and remaining outflow obstruction after pyeloplasty for hydronephrosis. The wide pyelocystostomy implies reflux of urine from the urinary bladder to the renal pelvis but no significant changes were found in glomerular or tubular function, studied with 51Cr-EDTA clearance, 131I-Hippuran renography, analysis of beta 2-microglobulin and total protein excretion in urine, and determination of concentration ability after administration of desmopressin. No increase in the severity or frequency of urinary tract infections was observed.

The relationship of sibling reflux to index patient dysfunctional voiding

The rate of sibling reflux in index patients with and without dysfunctional voiding symptoms was compared. Of the siblings of index patients with reflux and dysfunctional voiding 20 per cent demonstrated reflux compared to 38 per cent of siblings of those without symptom of bladder dysfunction. The difference is significant and suggests an interaction of genetic and environmental factors. These factors are discussed. There remains a need to screen siblings of patients with reflux regardless of symptoms of either the index patient or the sibling.