Diagnostic approach to reflux in 2007

Surgical management of high-grade vesicoureteral reflux in an 18-month-old female with a solitary kidney: A case report from a resource-limited setting

Key Clinical Message

Conservative nonsurgical therapy ensures that the resolution is nearly 80% for vesicoureteral reflux grades I and II and 30%-50% for vesicoureteral reflux grades III and V within 4-5 years of follow-up. Open surgical reimplantation of ureters of grades IV and V is a highly successful procedure, with reported correction rates ranging from 95% to 99% regardless of the severity of vesicoureteral reflux.

Abstract

Patients with vesicoureteral reflux present with a wide range of severity. With an incidence of approximately 1%, vesicoureteral reflux is a relatively common urological abnormality in children. Postnatal diagnosis of vesicoureteral reflux is typically made following a diagnosis of a urinary tract infection and less frequently following family screening. Voiding cystourethrograms remain the gold standard for diagnosing vesicoureteral reflux. To preserve the kidney and prevent the need for potential renal replacement therapy, infants with a single kidney require significantly more assessments and prompt decision-making. Surgical correction is advised for patients with vesicoureteral reflux grades IV and V, while vesicoureteral reflux grades I, II, and III are managed conservatively.

Significance of Sonographically Demonstrated Ureteral Dilatation in Evaluation of Vesicoureteral Reflux Verified with Voiding Urosonography in Children with Urinary Tract Infection

Objectives:

The aim of this study was to determine sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values of sonographically demonstrated ureteral dilatation in detecting vesicoureteral reflux (VUR).

Methods:

Ethical approval from the Ethical Committee of Clinical Center University of Sarajevo and parental consent were obtained for this prospective study involving 120 children with history of urinary tract infections (UTIs). Ultrasound examination included the evaluation of the urinary tract, with a special emphasis on evaluation of ureteral dilatation. Voiding urosonography (VUS) was carried out according to a standard protocol with the use of ultrasound contrast agent Sono Vue of second generation. Ureteral diameter greater than 3 mm was considered pathological. Proven VUR was graded into one of three stages.

Results:

Infectio tracti urinarii recidivans was referral diagnosis in the majority of patients. The average age of patients was 4.33 ± 3.88 years (from 2 months to 16 years of age). VUS findings were normal in 59 (49.2%), and pathological in 61 (50.8%) patients. Statistical analysis showed significant correlation between type and grade of VUR. Our data confirmed predominance of VUR in females and in children under the age of 5. Statistically significant correlation between ureteral dilatation and the existence of VUR was found, with relatively high sensitivity (67.2%), specificity (81.4%), and high positive (78.8%) and negative predictive value (70.6%), total diagnostic accuracy of 74.2% in detecting VUR, and significantly increased probability (20 – 25%) of detecting VUR in patients with sonographically confirmed ureteral dilatation.

Conclusion:

Sonographically confirmed ureteral dilatation can be used as a predictor of VUR in children with UTIs, and in combination with other predictors, might find a place in an evidence-based selective strategy in children with suspected VUR.