Clinical Spectrum of Congenital Anomalies of Kidney and Urinary Tract in Children.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the clinical spectrum and patterns of clinical presentation in congenital anomalies of kidney and urinary tract. METHODS: We enrolled 307 consecutively presenting children with congenital anomalies of kidney and urinary tract at the pediatric nephrology clinic. Patients were evaluated clinically, with serum biochemistry, appropriate imaging and radionuclide scans. RESULTS: The most common anomaly was primary vesicoureteric reflux (VUR) (87, 27.3%), followed by pelviureteral junction obstruction (PUJO) (62,20.1%), multicystic dysplastic kidney (51 16.6%), non-obstructive hydronephrosis (32, 10.4%) and posterior urethral valves (PUV) (23, 7.4%). 247 (80.4%) anomalies had been identified during the antenatal period. Another 33 (10.7%) were diagnosed during evaluation of urinary tract infection, and 21 (6.8%) during evaluation for hypertension at presentation. Obstructive anomalies presented earlier than non-obstructive (7 (3, 22.5) vs 10 (4, 24) mo: (P=0.01)). The median (IQR) ages of presentation for children with PUV (n=23), VUR (n=87) and PUJO (n=62) were 4 (2, 14) mo, 10 (5, 27) mo, and 7 (3, 22.5) mo, respectively. Nine (2.9%) children had extrarenal manifestations. CONCLUSIONS: The median age at clinical presentation for various subgroups of anomalies indicates delayed referral. We emphasize the need for prompt referral in order to initiate appropriate therapeutic strategies in children with congenital anomalies of kidney and urinary tract.

Do infants in the neonatal intensive care unit diagnosed with urinary tract infection need a routine voiding cystourethrogram?

OBJECTIVE: To determine if infants diagnosed with urinary tract infection (UTI) in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) require a routine voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG). STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective data analysis from three centers for infants admitted to the NICU born between 2000 and 2013 and diagnosed with UTI. RESULTS: One hundred twenty-six infants from three centers were diagnosed with UTI during their hospitalization. Renal ultrasound (RUS) was performed in 115 infants (91.2%), of which 69 (60%) were abnormal. Mild to moderate hydronephrosis or pelviectasis were the most common abnormalities identified (n = 34, 30%). There were 14 infants (12%) with severe abnormalities on RUS. VCUG was performed in 71 infants (56%), of which 3 (4%) were interpreted as abnormal with grade 2 vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) or less (two infants were with normal RUS and one infant was with abnormal RUS). CONCLUSIONS: More than 50% of infants with a UTI had an abnormal RUS but severe abnormalities were found only in 11% of infants. Only 4% of infants with UTI had VUR; none of these infants had severe VUR on VCUG. A routine VCUG after UTI in the NICU has a low yield and may be reserved for infants with severe or persistent abnormalities on RUS.

Characteristics of Physicians and Other Providers Frequently Ordering Intravenous Pyelograms.

PURPOSE: To assess characteristics of physicians and other providers frequently ordering intravenous pyelography (IVP). METHODS: The 2014 Medicare Referring Provider Utilization for Procedures data set was used to identify providers who ordered more than 10 IVP examinations ("high-ordering providers") in Medicare beneficiaries. The Medicare Provider and Other Supplier Public Use File and Physician Supplier Procedure Summary Master Files were used to obtain physician characteristics and total service counts, respectively. RESULTS: Of 18,344 IVPs performed in 2014 in Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries, 6,321 (34.5%) were ordered by just 233 high-ordering providers. Of these, 220 (94.4%) were urologists. These urologists represented just 2.4% of all 8,981 Medicare-participating urologists and ordered an average of 27.1 IVPs (maximum 239). Urologists ordering IVPs (versus those not ordering IVPs) were more likely (P < .05) to practice in rural areas (6.4% versus 2.7%), be in practice more than 15 years (87.4% versus 71.2%), and be in practices with 100 members or fewer (71.3% versus 55.5%). They were also less likely (P < .05) to be female (3.2% versus 7.4%) and in academic practices (5.1% versus 10.7%). High-IVP-ordering urologists were more likely to practice in the South (54.1% versus 36.9%) or Midwest (30.0% versus 21.3%) and less likely to practice in the Northeast (5.0% versus 23.1%) or West (10.9% versus 18.6%). CONCLUSION: Although uncommonly performed, IVPs continue to be used in the Medicare population. Providers most likely to frequently order IVPs were later-career urologists in smaller and rural practices in the South. Targeting education and appropriate use criteria initiatives to high-ordering providers may help optimize utilization.

Predictors of grade 3-5 vesicoureteral reflux in infants ≤ 2 months of age with pyelonephritis.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to assess predictors for grade 3-5 vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) in infants ≤ 2 months of age admitted for first urinary tract infection (UTI). METHODS: Retrospective cohort study of 195 infants ≤ 2 months admitted to a pediatric ward for first UTI between 2006 and 2017. Clinical, laboratory, and imaging data were collected from electronic medical charts. We examined associations between grade 3-5 VUR and different patient characteristics. RESULTS: Twenty infants (10%) were diagnosed with grade 3-5 VUR; all had fever. Infants with grade 3-5 VUR had higher blood neutrophil percentage (BNP) (65% vs. 46%, P < 0.001), higher neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) (2.6 vs. 1.3, P < 0.001), more renal ultrasound abnormalities (prenatal 26% vs. 5%, P = 0.007; postnatal 84% vs. 55%, P = 0.015), and Pseudomonas UTI (15% vs. 1%, respectively, P < 0.001). NLR > 1.65 showed sensitivity 100% and specificity 61% for detecting grade 3-5 VUR. BNP > 53% showed sensitivity 100% and specificity 60% for detecting grade 3-5 VUR. BNP was the best single marker for grade 3-5 VUR with area under the curve (AUC) of 0.82 (95% CI 0.75-0.89). In a multivariate model, AUC for combination of BNP and hydronephrosis was 0.86 (95% CI 0.79-0.93, P = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: Infants ≤ 2 months of age admitted for a first UTI are at risk for grade 3-5 VUR and thus should undergo a voiding cystourethrography (VCUG) if their renal ultrasound is abnormal or if they have Pseudomonas UTI. Avoiding VCUG can be considered in afebrile infants and in infants with BNP < 53% or NLR < 1.65.

Availability of Common Pediatric Radiology Studies: Are Rural Patients at a Disadvantage?

BACKGROUND: Many families wish to have radiologic tests performed locally, especially when obtaining these tests in specialized pediatric centers would require long-distance travel with associated costs and inconveniences. The differential availability of specialized and common pediatric uroradiographic tests in rural and urban areas has not been described. We undertook this study to describe the availability of common radiographic tests ordered by pediatric urologists, and to identify disparities in the availability of radiographic tests between urban and rural locations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We surveyed all freestanding hospitals in Washington State on the availability of flat-plate abdominal radiograph (AXR), renal-bladder ultrasounds (RBUS), voiding cystourethrograms (VCUG), MAG-3 renal scans, and nuclear cystograms (NC) for children, as well as testing restrictions, availability of sedation for urology tests, and presence of onsite radiologists. Rural and urban hospitals were compared on these characteristics. RESULTS: The survey was completed by 74 of 88 institutions (84.1%); 17 (23.0%) were rural (population <2500), 32 (43.2%) were in urban clusters (population 2500-50,000), and 25 (33.8%) were in urban areas (population >50,000). Seventy-three (98.6%) institutions offered AXR, 68 (91.9%) offered RBUS, 44 (59.5%) offered VCUG, 26 (35.1%) offered MAG-3, and 15 (20.3%) offered NC to children. All urban and most (16/17; 94.1%) rural institutions had shareable digital imaging capability. AXR (100% versus 96%, P = 0.88) and RBUS (70.6% versus 96%, P = 0.15) availability was similar in rural and urban settings, whereas VCUG (11.8% versus 72%, P = 0.001), MAG-3 (5.9% versus 60%, P = 0.006), and NC (0% versus 44%, P = 0.017) were more commonly available in urban settings. Fewer rural hospitals employed full-time, in-house radiologists (35.3% versus 96%, P < 0.0001) or offered sedation (6.3% versus 36%, P = 0.01) for testing, but an equal proportion had age restrictions on the tests offered (40% versus 17.6%, P = 0.50). Fellowship-trained pediatric radiologists (0% versus 16%, P = 0.39) and child life specialists (0% versus 20%, P = 0.28) worked exclusively in urban settings. Most hospitals offering specialized radiographic tests (VCUG: 90.9%; P < 0.0001 and MAG-3: 92.3%; P = 0.002) had onsite radiologists. CONCLUSIONS: The geographically widespread availability of AXR and RBUS may represent an opportunity to offer families care closer to home, realizing cost and time savings. Anxious children and those requiring more specialized studies may benefit from referral to urban centers. The lack of rural radiologists may be an actionable barrier to availability of specialized radiology testing.

National Imaging Trends after Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy.

PURPOSE: Followup imaging after percutaneous nephrolithotomy serves to detect postoperative complications, residual fragments and silent hydronephrosis. However, the timing and optimal imaging modality remain poorly defined. We describe imaging use patterns after percutaneous nephrolithotomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the MarketScan® database we identified patients 17 to 64 years old who underwent percutaneous nephrolithotomy between 2007 and 2014. Imaging modalities were identified by CPT, and ICD-9 and 10 codes, and tracked for 1 year after percutaneous nephrolithotomy. The modalities included computerized tomography, renal ultrasound, abdominal x-ray and intravenous pyelogram. Cumulative longitudinal use patterns were characterized and the association with demographic factors was assessed by the chi-square test. RESULTS: Of the 6,495 patients included in analysis 29% and 15% had undergone no postoperative imaging by 3 and 12 months, respectively. While abdominal x-ray was the most common modality at 3, 6 and 12 months, performed in 46%, 53% and 62% patients, respectively, nearly 50% underwent computerized tomography by 1 year. Of these patients 34% underwent computerized tomography within 3 months, which was done within the first 3 days in 69%. During the study period renal ultrasound use increased by 13% while computerized tomography and abdominal x-ray use remained relatively stable. Female gender, residence in the Northeast, no health maintenance organization status and treatment in a metropolitan statistical area were independently associated with higher rates of renal ultrasound on multivariate analyses (p <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Among insured adults national imaging patterns vary following percutaneous nephrolithotomy. Many patients do not receive any followup imaging while approximately half undergo computerized tomography within a year. Imaging patterns may be evolving with the increased use of ultrasound.

Radiologic evaluation of children prior to SWL: to what extent they are exposed to radiation?

The objective of this study is to evaluate the average radiation exposure in children with renal stones before SWL treatment. Mean radiation exposure values were evaluated in 110 children before SWL treatment. While some children referred to the emergency department (ED) with colic pain, remaining cases referred to outpatient department (OD). Although low-dose NCCT was performed in ED; KUB and abdominal sonography were first performed in other cases referring to OD where CT has been applied if needed. The type of imaging modality used and the mean radiation exposure were evaluated and comparatively evaluated with respect to the department referred, patient as well as stone related parameters. 49 children referred to ED and 61 children referred to OD. Mean stone size was 7.24 ± 0.29 mm. 62 cases had opaque stones. Mean radiation exposure values were higher in children referring to ED than the other cases. However, there was no significant difference between the two groups regarding the mean number of KUB, IVU and sonographic evaluation performed prior to SWL management. There was a significant correlation between the mean radiation exposure and the stone size as well degree of hydonephrosis in a positive manner. Although a significant correlation was present between the mean radiation exposure and stone opacity in a negative manner; there was no correlation with respect to the other related parameters. Unnecessary use of X-ray based imaging modalities in children could be effectively avoided using KUB and US combination beginning from the diagnostic phase of stone disease.

Introduction of a new imaging guideline for suspected renal colic in the ED reduces CT urography utilisation.

BACKGROUND: Patients presenting to the ED with suspected renal colic are frequently imaged with CT urography (CTU), which rarely alters diagnosis or management. To reduce use of CTU in this population, we instigated a new imaging and management guideline in our ED. METHODS: This was a quasi-experimental prospective study, whereby a new guideline was commenced at the intervention site (Monash Medical Centre) and the existing guideline continued at the control site (Dandenong Hospital). The new guideline promotes focused ultrasound for diagnosing renal colic and restricts CT to those with poor response to analgesia or 'red flags'. A consecutive series of patients with suspected renal colic were prospectively enrolled and outcomes compared between the sites. The primary outcome was CTU utilisation and secondary outcomes were radiation exposure, stone rate on CTU, admission, ED length of stay and rates of urological intervention and returns to ED at 4-week follow-up. RESULTS: Preintervention CTU rates were 76.7% at Monash and 72.1% at Dandenong. 324 patients were enrolled; 148 at Monash and 176 at Dandenong. Median age 47 years vs 49 years, males 76.4% vs 66.5% and medianSex, Timing, Origin, Nausea, Erythrocytes (STONE) score 10 vs 10 for Monash and Dandenong, respectively. CTU was performed in 54.1% vs 75.0% (p<0.001), median radiation exposure 2.8 vs 4.0 mSv (p<0.001) and urological intervention occurred in 16.4% vs 15.7% for Monash and Dandenong, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: We found that use of CTU for renal colic was significantly reduced by introduction of a guideline promoting ultrasound and encouraging selective CTU. Although intervention rates were similar between the two sites, further prospective study is needed to ensure other patient-centred outcomes do not differ.

Changing Abdominal Imaging Utilization Patterns: Perspectives From Medicare Beneficiaries Over Two Decades.

PURPOSE: To assess changing utilization patterns of abdominal imaging in the Medicare fee-for-service population over the past two decades. METHODS: Medicare Physician Supplier Procedure Summary master files from 1994 through 2012 were used to study changes in the frequency and utilization rates (per 1,000 Medicare beneficiaries per year) of abdominal CT, MRI, ultrasound, and radiography. RESULTS: In Medicare beneficiaries, the most frequently performed abdominal imaging modality changed from radiography in 1994 (207.4 per 1,000 beneficiaries) to CT in 2012 (169.0 per 1,000). Utilization rates of abdominal MR (1037.5%), CT (197.0%), and ultrasound (38.0%) all increased from 1994-2012 (but declined briefly from 2007 to 2009). A dramatic 20-year utilization rate decline occurred for gastrointestinal fluoroscopic examinations (-91.9% barium enema, -80.0% upper gastrointestinal series) and urologic radiographic examinations (-95.3%). Radiologists were the dominant providers of all modalities, accounting for >90% of CT and MR studies, and >75% of most ultrasound examination types. CONCLUSIONS: Medicare utilization of abdominal imaging has markedly changed over the past two decades, with overall dramatic increases in CT and MRI and dramatic decreases in gastrointestinal fluoroscopic and urologic radiographic imaging. Despite these changes, radiologists remain the dominant providers in all abdominal imaging modalities.

Robot-assisted Laparoscopic Extravesical Ureteral Reimplantation: Technique Modifications Contribute to Optimized Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Robot-assisted laparoscopic extravesical ureteral reimplantation (RALUR-EV) is being adopted at large pediatric urology centers in the United States, but currently there is not consensus on surgical technique to facilitate the best possible outcomes. OBJECTIVE: To describe technique modifications that may lead to improved radiographic vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) resolution. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Between December 2008 and February 2015, a single surgeon performed RALUR-EV at an academic medical center. Only children with persistent grade 3-5 VUR at age 5 yr on voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG), those who had breakthrough urinary tract infections, or those with renal scarring were selected to undergo surgical correction of VUR with RALUR-EV. Children undergoing RALUR-EV for obstructive megaureter or ureterovesical junction obstruction were excluded. Fifty-eight patients (83 ureters) fit the inclusion criteria. SURGICAL PROCEDURE: We highlighted adjustments to our technique, called LUAA to represent length of detrusor tunnel (L), use of a U stitch (U), placement of permanent ureteral alignment suture (A), and inclusion of ureteral adventitia (A) in detrusorraphy. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The primary end point was resolution of VUR on postoperative VCUG. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: Because technique modifications were made at two distinct time points, we generated three patient groups for comparison. We observed complete resolution of VUR in 82% of ureters, including 8 of 12 ureters (67%), 8 of 11 ureters (73%), and 52 of 60 ureters (87%) for technique modification cohorts 1, 2, and 3, respectively. There were no ureteral complications at median follow-up of 30 mo. Retrospective design and possible confounding from the learning curve limit this study. CONCLUSIONS: Using the standardized LUAA technique, we demonstrated an improvement in outcomes. Given the wide range of published resolution rates following RALUR-EV, there is a need for standardization of technique to facilitate best possible outcomes. We propose the LUAA technique as a new standard for RALUR-EV to achieve this goal. PATIENT SUMMARY: We examined the safety and efficacy of a minimally invasive surgery in children. We identified several critical adjustments to surgical technique that improve rates of successful outcome.

Trends in the utilization of imaging for upper tract urothelial carcinoma.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the changes in use of the different imaging modalities for diagnosing upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) and assess how these changes have affected tumor stage at the time of surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We assessed the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) cancer registry and linked Medicare claims data (1992-2009) for 5377 patients who underwent surgery for UTUC. We utilized International Classification of Disease-Oncology 3 codes to identify UTUC. International Classification of Disease, ninth Revision, Clinical Modification and Current Procedure Terminology codes identified surgical treatment and imaging modalities. We assessed for use of intravenous pyelography, retrograde pyelography (RGP), computed tomography urography (CTU), magnetic resonance urography (MRU), and endoscopy. For each modality, patients were categorized as having received the modality at least once or not at all. Patient characteristics were compared using chi-squared tests. Usage of imaging modalities and tumor stage was trended using Cochran-Armitage tests. We stratified our data into 2 multivariate logistic regression models to determine the effect of imaging modalities on tumor stage: 1992 to 1999 with all modalities except MRU, and 2000 to 2009 with all modalities. RESULTS: Our patient population was predominantly White males of more than 70 years old. Intravenous pyelography and RGP declined in use (62% and 72% in 1992 vs. 6% and 58% in 2009, respectively) while computed tomography urography, MRU, and endoscopy increased in use (2%, 0%, and 37% in 1992 vs. 44%, 6%, and 66% in 2009, respectively). In both regression analyses, endoscopy was associated with lower-stage tumors. In the 2000 to 2009 model, RGP was associated with lower-stage tumors, and MRU was associated with higher-stage tumors. Finally, our data showed an increasing number of modalities utilized for each patient (1% receiving 4 modalities in 1992 vs. 20% in 2009). CONCLUSIONS: We found trends toward the utilization of newer imaging modalities to diagnose UTUC and more modalities per patient. Endoscopy and RGP were associated with smaller tumors, whereas MRU was associated with larger tumors. Further studies are needed to evaluate the utility of the different modalities in diagnosing UTUC.

Evaluation of the patient with asymptomatic microscopic hematuria.

Asymptomatic microscopic hematuria (AMH) is relatively common in clinical practice but the etiology remains unclear in the majority of patients; it is rarely related to genitourinary malignancies. The 2012 guidelines of the American Urological Association recommend an evaluation after a single positive urinalysis with mandatory upper tract evaluation in all patients, preferably with CT urography (CTU). The likelihood of detecting significant upper track abnormalities, particularly malignancies is low with CTU, while incidental extraurinary abnormalities are often found, the majority of which are not clinically significant. The workup for these incidental findings has significant financial and clinical implications. Primary care physicians, who are most apt to encounter patients with AMH, have a low rate of adherence to the AUA guidelines, possibly as a result of the broadening of criteria for AMH evaluation by the AUA, with resultant uncertainty amongst primary care physicians about the appropriate candidates for such evaluation. Selection of subgroups of patients with risk factors for GU malignancies who may benefit from a complete evaluation is essential, as opposed to evaluation of all patients classified as having AMH.

Variability in use of voiding cystourethrogram during initial evaluation of infants with congenital hydronephrosis.

OBJECTIVE: To identify geographic variability in the imaging of infants with congenital hydronephrosis at initial pediatric urologic evaluation. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of infants aged ≤ 12 months with congenital hydronephrosis seen as new patients from October 2010 to September 2011 at 3 regionally diverse pediatric urology practices: University of Virginia Hospital, Rady Children's Hospital, and Children's Hospital Colorado. Primary outcomes measured were the type and number of tests ordered at initial evaluation. Independent variables collected included the following: patient age, location, and initial ultrasound findings. Ultrasound findings were manually extracted from the attending pediatric urologist's clinic note. All other data were automatically extracted from the electronic medical record. Proportions were analyzed using Pearson's goodness of fit and Fisher exact tests. Medians were compared using the Kruskal-Wallis test. RESULTS: Two hundred forty-one patients met the study criteria. Median patient age was 2 months and did not differ across sites. Most patients (64.7%) had Society for Fetal Urology grade 0-2 hydronephrosis; prevalence of high-grade hydronephrosis varied across sites (P = .002). Use of voiding cystourethrography also varied across sites (17.6%-88.9%); this difference persisted when controlling for age and hydronephrosis grade (P <.05). Use of other imaging studies did not significantly differ across sites. CONCLUSION: Use of screening voiding cystourethrography for infants with congenital hydronephrosis varies across practices. This variation persists when controlling for differences in age and ultrasound findings, suggesting that regional differences in patient demographics, provider/parental preferences, or referral patterns might contribute to practice variations in the evaluation of these patients.

Imaging the urologic patient: the utility of intravenous pyelogram in the CT scan era.

PURPOSE: An opportunity exists to evaluate the quality of care in patients undergoing intravenous pyelogram (IVP) imaging and to define the role of IVP in the computed tomography scan era. METHODS: Medical records were reviewed for patient demographics, inpatient versus outpatient setting, indication for IVP, physician/specialty who ordered IVP, and the need for subsequent imaging within a 30-day period in patients who underwent IVP from October 2007 to December 2011. Chi-square test was used to compare the number of additional radiologic examinations ordered within 30 days of the initial IVP across the different specialties ordering IVPs. RESULTS: Six hundred and eighty patients underwent IVP imaging during the study period. The primary reason to order an IVP was the evaluation of urolithiasis/flank pain (50%), followed by urologic evaluation after surgery (23%). Three hundred and twenty-five patients (48%) subsequently had an additional 547 radiologic studies within 30 days of the IVP to further evaluate their condition. Of the 325 patients undergoing additional imaging studies, 36% had differing or additional diagnostic information noted that could change medical decision-making. CONCLUSIONS: Inferior imaging of the urologic patient by IVP leads to the acquisition of additional imaging studies to render a diagnosis. IVP has a limited clinical role, and thus, its use should be strictly limited to highly select cases.

Prospective evaluation of the utility of routine postoperative cystogram after traumatic bladder injury.

BACKGROUND: The value of routinely testing bladder repair integrity with a cystogram before urinary catheter removal is unclear. The purpose of this study was to prospectively evaluate the utility of routine postoperative cystogram after traumatic bladder injury. METHODS: All patients sustaining a bladder injury requiring operative repair at two Level I trauma centers were prospectively enrolled during a 62-month study period ending on January 2011. Injury demographics, imaging data, and outcomes were extracted. All patients were evaluated with either a plain or a computed tomography cystogram. RESULTS: A total of 127 patients were enrolled (mean [SD] age, 30.4 [13.5] years; blunt trauma, 63.8%, mean [SD] Injury Severity Score [ISS], 17.7 [10.6]). A total of 75 patients (59.1%) had an intraperitoneal (IP) bladder injury, 44 (34.6%) had an extraperitoneal (EP) bladder injury, and 8 had a (6.3%) combined IP/EP bladder injury. All patients with IP and IP/EP injuries (n = 83) underwent operative repair and a postoperative cystogram at 8.6 (1.8) days (range, 5-13 days). Sixty-nine IP injuries (83.1%) were simple (dome or body disruption/penetrating injury), while 14 (16.9%) were complex (trigone/requiring ureter implantation). There were no deaths during the follow-up period. With the exception of one patient (1.2%) with a complex injury requiring ureteric implantation, there were no leaks demonstrated on postoperative cystogram, and the urinary catheters were successfully removed. CONCLUSION: In this prospective evaluation of the role of bladder evaluation after operative repair, routine use of follow-up cystograms for simple injuries did not impact clinical management. For complex repairs to the trigone or those requiring ureter implantation, a follow-up cystogram should be obtained before catheter removal. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Diagnostic study, level II.

Rapid implementation of evidence-based guidelines for imaging after first urinary tract infection.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The American Academy of Pediatrics published a new guideline for management of first urinary tract infection (UTI) in children aged 2 to 24 months in September 2011. The imaging evaluation changed from the previous guideline to recommend voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG) only for patients with an abnormal renal and bladder ultrasound (RBUS). The objective was to decrease the proportion of guideline-eligible children with a normal RBUS who underwent VCUG from median of 92% for patients treated as inpatients and 100% for patients treated in the emergency department to 5% in both settings. METHODS: This was a quality improvement implementation study in a large academic medical center. Key drivers included: appropriate guideline knowledge, timely identification of guideline eligible patients, and effective communication with the community-based primary care provider. A multidisciplinary team developed and tested interventions. Impact was assessed with annotated run charts. Statistical comparisons were made with χ(2) analysis and Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: The proportion of children with first UTI and normal RBUS who underwent VCUG decreased from a median of 92% to 0% within 1 month of initiating the project among those hospitalized and from 100% to 40% within 4 months among those diagnosed in the emergency department. Rates have been sustained for 12 months and 8 months, respectively. Interventions using the electronic medical record and ordering system were most impactful. CONCLUSIONS: Rapid adoption of evidence-based UTI care across multiple settings is achievable. Practice change occurred faster and to a greater magnitude in the inpatient setting compared with the outpatient setting.

[A retrospective study to evaluate a protocol aimed at reducing the number of unnecessary voiding cystourethrographies performed after a first episode of febrile urinary tract infection]. / Évaluation d'un protocole de limitation des indications de cystographie dans les infections urinaires fébriles.

AIM: Whether or not voiding cystourethrography (VCUG) should be performed after a first episode of urinary tract infection (UTI) remains a matter of debate. The role of VCUG is primarily to diagnose high-grade vesicoureteral reflux (≥grade III) (VUR) and hence prevent the development of renal scars and poor long-term outcome. We designed a protocol designed to reduce the indications for performing unnecessary VCUGs after a first episode of febrile UTI. In order to evaluate the efficacy of our protocol, we designed a retrospective study to verify whether high-grade VUR was subsequently being underdiagnosed. METHODS: This study compared the number of cases of VUR diagnosed over 2 1-year periods in children aged 1 month to 18 years. Data were collected from records held in the pediatric emergency department of the University Hospital of Reims. All cases included had presented to the department with a first episode of febrile UTI. During the first 1-year collection period, all patients underwent a VCUG. During the second collection period, the protocol was in place and VCUG was only performed in children with a serum procalcitonin level greater than 1 ng/L and/or an abnormal renal ultrasound scan. RESULTS: During the first year, 100 patients underwent routine VCUG and 7 cases of high-grade VUR were diagnosed. During the following year, VCUG was limited according to the new protocol: 102 patients were enrolled, 52 VCUGs were performed and 8 cases of high-grade VUR were diagnosed. Cases of low-grade VUR (I and II) were less frequently detected, without significant consequences for the patients. CONCLUSION: The protocol led to a 40% decrease in the number of VCUGs performed. No cases of high-grade VUR were missed; however, the number of VCUGs performed with a normal outcome remained significant.

Voiding cystourethrography revisited: descriptive statistics for the detection of vesicoureteral reflux.

OBJECTIVE: To determine which factors might influence the detection of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR), we retrospectively reviewed factors including fluoroscopy time, number of true radiographic acquisitions, and patient characteristics from a large number of voiding cystourethrography (VCUG) examinations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nine hundred eighty-seven VCUG examinations performed between March 2006 and March 2009 were randomly selected for review. Data recorded were presence of VUR, patient age and sex, examination indication, follow-up status, presence of a diagnostic radiology trainee, fluoroscopy time, and number of true radiographic acquisitions. For initial examinations, descriptive comparison and logistic analyses were performed. To evaluate which variables related to reflux identification, we analyzed variables by logistic regression after stratifying by patient age (≤ 1 or > 1 year) for both the full sample and cases grouped by VUR severity (grades I and II [mild] or grades III-V [moderate to severe]). RESULTS: Nine hundred eighty-seven VCUG examinations were evaluated for the study (65.5% female; mean age, 3 years 2 months; age range, 2 weeks-16 years), and 761 cases met the inclusion criteria. VUR was detected in 101 of 349 infants (40 mild, 61 moderate to severe) and in 107 of 412 children older than 1 year (52 mild, 55 moderate to severe). A wide range of fluoroscopy times was similar between both positive and negative cases (0.033-4.233 minutes). The number of true radiographic acquisitions differed significantly between the negative and positive cases. CONCLUSION: Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analyses for a large number of VCUG examinations in a pediatric population are summarized. Our results showed that high fluoroscopy times were not associated with a higher likelihood of VUR. There may be a small benefit to the use of true radiographic acquisitions for detecting VUR.