Ultrasonography and renography to visualize upper urinary tract in children with meningomyelocele – A prospective study

Abstract

ObjectiveUltrasonography (US) is commonly used to visualize the upper urinary tract in children and adolescents with meningomyelocele (MMC). The aim of this investigation was to prospectively evaluate US in those with spinal angulation or obesity and compare it to the corresponding results obtained by mercaptoacetyltriglycine renography. Patients and methodsTwenty-five children and adolescents with MMC and pronounced angulation of the spine or obesity, were prospectively investigated with both US and renography during the period 2006 to 2008. ResultsIn 13 (52%) patients the kidneys could not be fully evaluated; in 4 (16%) neither renal size nor pelvic dilation, in 12 (48%) renal length and in 5 (20%) dilation was not accessible. In 23 individuals where dilatation could be evaluated uni- or bilaterally, US was compared to OEE% (%outflow excretion efficiency) at renography. In 1 of these individuals there was normal OEE% while slight dilatation on US was noticed. In 2/15 individuals, split function at renography did not correlate with renal length on US. ConclusionSevere spinal angulation and obesity in individuals with MMC reduced the possibility to evaluate the urinary tract by US. However, it seems that renography could be a reliable alternative to evaluate renal condition in those patients where US is insufficient.