Isotope renography in childhood enuresis

Association of nocturnal enuresis with vesicoureteral reflux and renal cortical damage

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) is higher in enuretic children than in non-enuretic children. Recent studies have reported VUR in 6-23% of children with enuresis.

OBJECTIVES

To clarify the association of nocturnal enuresis with vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) and to identify children who are at risk for VUR.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

During 2007-2009, neurologically normal children who were referred with a chief complaint of nocturnal enuresis and had abnormal renal ultrasonography (US) results, daytime incontinence, abnormal results in urodynamic studies, urinary tract infection, or a history of VUR in their siblings were prospectively evaluated for VUR by voiding cystourethrography (VCUG).

RESULTS

A total of 60 children (26 boys and 34 girls) aged 5-17 (mean ± SD: 8.46 ± 2.45) years met the inclusion criteria and were enrolled in the study. Twenty-eight (46.7%) patients had mono-symptomatic nocturnal enuresis (MNE), and 32 (53.3%) had non-mono symptomatic nocturnal enuresis (NMNE). VUR was reported in 10 (16.7%) patients and posterior urethral valve (PUV) was found in 1 (1.7%) patient. The prevalence of VUR was significantly higher in patients with daytime incontinence and in girls (P = 0.016 and 0.003 respectively). We did not find any significant correlations between VUR and the form of enuresis (primary versus secondary), urinary tract infection, or any diurnal urinary symptoms other than daytime incontinence (P > 0.05 for all). of 10 renal scintigrams, 5 (50%) showed renal cortical defects.

CONCLUSIONS

VUR is uncommon in children with MNE and in those with NMNE who do not wet themselves during the day; however, it is a relatively common finding in enuretic children who have daytime incontinence. We recommend VCUG in all enuretic children who have daytime incontinence.

Enuresis and encopresis: ten years of progress

OBJECTIVE

To review the progress made over the past decade with regard to the treatment of enuresis and encopresis, as well as advances in the understanding of etiological mechanisms.

METHOD

Separate computerized literature (English language only) searches of Medline and PsycINFO databases were conducted under the parameter of enuresis and children-adolescents, as well as encopresis and children-adolescents.

RESULTS

There has been a substantial decrease in published research concerning the use of imipramine to treat enuresis compared with the prior two decades, accompanied by a corresponding increase in the number of papers concerning desmopressin acetate (DDAVP), which has become the primary pharmacological treatment. Genetic studies of large pedigrees have further confirmed the importance of heritable factors. With regard to encopresis, the research has focused primarily on pathophysiological factors related to the colon and anal sphincter.

CONCLUSIONS

The widespread use of DDAVP has been the primary addition to treatment strategies over the past decade. The bell-and-pad method of conditioning, the only major treatment that has enduring benefit after being withdrawn, is the most cost-effective and appears to be underutilized. Research into etiological mechanisms has focused primarily on the mechanism of action of DDAVP and advances in the understanding of genetic factors. Advances in the treatment and etiological understanding of encopresis have been less impressive.

The true clinical significance of renography in nephro-urology

Isotopic renography is a non-invasive technique used routinely by the clinician to provide information about kidney structure and function. Whilst there is no doubt of its value in the accurate measurement of glomerular filtration rate and in the detection of parenchymal abnormalities, its role in the diagnosis of renovascular disease (especially in patients with renal insufficiency), the exclusion of obstruction and the evaluation of the patient with either acute renal failure or renal transplant dysfunction remains unproven. In part, this reflects a failure to standardise protocols and rigorously evaluate diagnostic techniques. Recent developments in ultrasound, computerised X-ray tomography and nuclear magnetic resonance now present the clinician with rival techniques and emphasise the need for the clinical development of isotopic renography.