The diagnostic value of intrarenal colour duplex Doppler ultrasonography in children with lower urinary tract infection.

BACKGROUND: The diagnostic value of Doppler US in infectious disease of the kidney is well documented. Previous studies have demonstrated high resistive indices, especially in tubulo-interstitial diseases. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of intrarenal colour duplex Doppler US in lower urinary tract infections (UTI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective study was carried out in 111 children (222 kidneys) (age range 1-180 months). Of the children, 78 were healthy while 33 presented with lower UTI. The resistive indices (RI) were measured from the spectral waveforms obtained from interlobar arteries. RESULTS: No statistically significant difference was found between RI of right and left kidneys in both groups. The mean RI was 0.75 +/- 0.07 in patients with lower UTI and 0.71 +/- 0.1 in the control group (P < 0.05). In the control group there was an inverse correlation between age and RI (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: High RI may be found in lower UTI.