ABSTRACT
Paediatric urology often presents challenging scenarios. Magnetic resonance urography (MRU) and laparoscopy are increasingly used. We retrospectively studied children affected by a disease of the upper urinary tract who after MRU were elected for laparoscopic treatment. This pictorial essay draws on our experience; it illustrates some specific MRU findings and highlights the usefulness of MRU for the diagnosis of upper urinary tract pathology in children. It also offers some examples of the potential additional diagnostic information provided by laparoscopy as well as its therapeutic role.
Subject(s)
Laparoscopy/methods , Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods , Surgery, Computer-Assisted/methods , Urography/methods , Urologic Diseases/diagnosis , Urologic Diseases/surgery , Adolescent , Child , Female , Humans , Infant , Male , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To present a preliminary experience with the modified technique of extravesical intraureteral injection of non-animal-stabilized hyaluronic acid/dextranomer (NASHA/Dx) gel under direct ureteroscopic visualization for the treatment of primary high-grade vesicoureteral reflux (VUR). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The medical records of all pediatric patients (age range, 0-14 years) who underwent intraureteral injection of NASHA/Dx gel under direct ureteroscopic visualization for the treatment of primary high-grade VUR during the period June 2006-June 2010 were reviewed. RESULTS: Eighty-nine children (61 boys, 28 girls; M:F ratio, 2.1) underwent intraureteral injection of NASHA/Dx gel under direct ureteroscopic visualization for the treatment of primary high-grade VUR during the study period. VUR completely disappeared after the injection of NASHA/Dx gel into 105 (73%) of 144 ureters, with no further treatment required. Thirty-five (24.3%) required a second injection, and 2 (1.4%) required a third injection for resolution of their VUR. No intraoperative complications were observed. No ureteral obstruction during follow-up was observed using ultrasound or micturition studies. CONCLUSIONS: Intraureteral injection of NASHA/Dx gel under direct ureteroscopic visualization is safe and effective in the treatment of primary high-grade VUR, including cases with ureteral duplication, if the ureteral meatus is easy to pass through without mechanical dilation. This approach represents an effective and safe alternative to antibiotic prophylaxis alone and open surgery.
