Can Impaired Distal Ureteral Contraction Detected by Urinary Ultrasonography Indicate Presence of VUR?

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine if impaired distal ureteral contraction detected by urinary ultrasonography (US) could predict presence of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR). Materials and Methods: A Retrospective analysis of patients’ files between November 2016 and September 2020 was performed. A total of 248 children with demonstrated VUR on voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG) and who underwent urinary US within one week of the VCUG examination were included in the study. The degree of hydronephrosis was classified as per Society for Fetal Urology grading system and grading of VUR was done by the International Reflux Study Group grading system. The impaired distal ureteral contraction was defined as the reduced movement of the distal ureter as well as the deficiency of urine discharge into the bladder. Results: There was a significant correlation between the grade of VUR and the grade of hydronephrosis (p=0.0028). Also, the presence of distal ureteral dilation was related to increasing grades of VUR (p=0.001). The impaired distal ureteral contraction was present only in children with dilating VUR (grades III IV V) while its relationship between VUR grade was significantly high for grades IV and V VUR (p=0.001). Conclusion: In children, the impaired distal ureter contraction as well as the increase of grades of hydronephrosis, and the presence of distal ureteral dilation may aid decision-making in terms of requesting VCUG to detect dilating VUR.