Is resolution of vesicoureteric reflux by conservative management predictable in patients with myelodysplasia?

The significance of 99mtechnetium dimercapto-succinic acid renal scan in children with spina bifida during long-term followup

PURPOSE

(99m)Technetium dimercapto-succinic acid renal scans are ideal for demonstrating renal scarring in children with spina bifida. However, doubt persists about the need for routine application. We assessed the associations among abnormal (99m)technetium dimercapto-succinic acid renal scans, vesicoureteral reflux and urodynamic findings in patients with spina bifida during long-term followup.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the records of 64 patients with spina bifida followed at our center. All patients were older than 10 years (mean 15.8, range 10 to 23). Dimercapto-succinic acid renal scans were considered abnormal with differential function of less than 40% or focal defects. Patient age, gender, previous febrile urinary tract infections, positive vesicoureteral reflux history, timing of clean intermittent catheterization initiation and the latest urodynamic findings were noted. Patients were grouped based on normal/abnormal scan results. Statistical analysis included univariate and multivariate regression analyses and chi-square tests.

RESULTS

A total of 16 patients (25%) had abnormal scans. Mean patient age, male-to-female ratio, leak point pressure, bladder compliance and timing of clean intermittent catheterization initiation did not differ between groups. Rates of previous febrile urinary tract infections differed significantly (11 of 16 in the abnormal group vs 9 of 48 in the normal group, p <0.01), as did positive reflux history (100% vs 31%, p <0.01). No patient with a negative reflux history had an abnormal dimercapto-succinic acid renal scan. Multivariate analysis identified previous febrile urinary tract infections as a significant risk factor for an abnormal scan.

CONCLUSIONS

A positive vesicoureteral reflux history and febrile urinary tract infections were associated with abnormal dimercapto-succinic acid renal scan in followup of patients older than 10 years with spina bifida. Thus, these factors are indicators of proactive evaluation of renal function using dimercapto-succinic acid renal scanning.

Does the type of bladder augmentation influence the resolution of pre-existing vesicoureteral reflux? Urodynamic studies

AIMS

The type of bladder augmentation on pre-existing vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) was assessed. The effects of urodynamic changes on the resolution of VUR following augmentation cystoplasty performed with various gastrointestinal segments were examined. It was queried whether elimination of high-pressure bladder is sufficient to resolve pre-existing reflux.

METHODS

A retrospective record review of patients who underwent bladder augmentation between 1987 and 2004. Patients were divided into two groups. Group I included patients who had a simultaneous augmentation and ureteral reimplantation. Group II included patients with reflux in whom only a bladder augmentation was performed. Pre-and post-augmentation urodynamic results were compared in both groups. The outcome of VUR and the role of various gastrointestinal (GI) segments on the resolution of VUR were studied.

RESULTS

Sixty-three patients underwent bladder augmentation during the study period. Twenty-six of them had VUR before augmentation. There were 10 patients in Group I and 16 patients in Group II. In Group I, VUR ceased in all patients, while in group II, VUR resolved in 14 patients and persisted in two patients. Small and large bowel segments used for augmentation had no effect on the resolution of VUR but the results of gastrocystoplasties were less favorable. Urodynamically there was no significant difference between the various augmentation cystoplasties.

CONCLUSIONS

Bladder augmentation alone without simultaneous antireflux repair is usually sufficient for the resolution of pre-existing reflux. The various GI segments used for augmentation have no effect on urodynamic results and the resolution of VUR.

Factors affecting renal scar development in children with spina bifida

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Prevention of renal scarring is the main therapeutic goal in children with spina bifida. We aimed to determine factors affecting renal scar development in these patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Records of 312 children admitted between 1994 and 2005 with spina bifida were reviewed. Age on admission, gender, presence of previous febrile urinary tract infections (UTIs), vesicoureteral reflux (VUR), and initial urodynamic findings were noted. Patients were grouped regarding presence/absence of renal scars on DMSA scans. Chi2 and Student's t tests were used for statistical evaluation.

RESULTS

Seventy-two patients had renal scars on admission. Mean age was 4.62 +/- 4.59 years for patients without renal scars and 6.35 +/- 4.9 years for patients with scars. Male/female ratio was 1:1 in the scarless group and 1:2 in the group with scars. Previous febrile UTI was present in 11 of 240 scarless patients in contrast to 7 out of 72 patients in the scar group (p > 0.05). VUR was present in only 16.3% of cases without scars, whereas 36.1% of patients in the scar group had VUR. Detrusor overactivity and detrusor sphincter dyssynergia were observed in 67.1% of scarred patients, whereas this figure was 42.4% in the scarless group. The comparison of age on admission, gender, detrusor overactivity, and detrusor sphincter dyssynergia revealed significant differences between patients with and without renal scars.

CONCLUSIONS

Late referral, female gender, overactive detrusor, and detrusor sphincter dyssynergia have detrimental effects on renal parenchymal function in spina bifida patients. Patient selection for aggressive treatment using these features may prevent renal parenchymal deterioration.

SHOULD WE TREAT VESICOURETERAL REFLUX IN PATIENTS WHO SIMULTANEOUSLY UNDERGO BLADDER AUGMENTATION FOR NEUROPATHIC BLADDER?

PURPOSE

If high pressure is responsible for vesicoureteral reflux in neurogenic bladders, eliminating the high pressure should resolve reflux in noncompliant bladders. Nevertheless, the need for simultaneous ureteral reimplantation and bladder augmentation remains controversial in patients with a noncompliant bladder and vesicoureteral reflux.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Bladder augmentation was performed in 8 boys and 8 girls with a noncompliant bladder and vesicoureteral reflux at a mean age of 10 years (range 2 to 17) because they had not responded satisfactorily to clean intermittent catheterization and anticholinergic therapy alone. No effort had been made to correct reflux surgically in these patients. Before bladder augmentation reflux was grade II to III in 4 ureters (3 patients) and IV to V in 18 (13). The bladder was augmented with intestine in 14 patients and with ureter in 2. Mean followup was 5.2 years (range 2.8 to 7.5).

RESULTS

After bladder augmentation bladder compliance improved in all patients. Of the 18 ureters with high grade reflux 2 were used for bladder augmentation, and reflux resolved in 13, was downgraded in 1 and persisted in 2. Of the 4 ureters with low grade reflux, reflux disappeared in 2 and was down graded in 2. The rate of high and low grade vesicoureteral reflux resolution or improvement was 87.5% and 100%, respectively. At the end of the study only 3 patients had persistent reflux, which was downgraded in 2. No urinary tract infections developed in any patient and none was receiving chemoprophylaxis 6 months postoperatively.

CONCLUSIONS

Our experience indicates that antireflux procedures are not routinely needed in patients with a noncompliant bladder and associated vesicoureteral reflux who undergo bladder augmentation.

Should we treat vesicoureteral reflux in patients who simultaneously undergo bladder augmentation for neuropathic bladder?

PURPOSE

If high pressure is responsible for vesicoureteral reflux in neurogenic bladders, eliminating the high pressure should resolve reflux in noncompliant bladders. Nevertheless, the need for simultaneous ureteral reimplantation and bladder augmentation remains controversial in patients with a noncompliant bladder and vesicoureteral reflux.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Bladder augmentation was performed in 8 boys and 8 girls with a noncompliant bladder and vesicoureteral reflux at a mean age of 10 years (range 2 to 17) because they had not responded satisfactorily to clean intermittent catheterization and anticholinergic therapy alone. No effort had been made to correct reflux surgically in these patients. Before bladder augmentation reflux was grade II to III in 4 ureters (3 patients) and IV to V in 18 (13). The bladder was augmented with intestine in 14 patients and with ureter in 2. Mean followup was 5.2 years (range 2.8 to 7.5).

RESULTS

After bladder augmentation bladder compliance improved in all patients. Of the 18 ureters with high grade reflux 2 were used for bladder augmentation, and reflux resolved in 13, was downgraded in 1 and persisted in 2. Of the 4 ureters with low grade reflux, reflux disappeared in 2 and was down graded in 2. The rate of high and low grade vesicoureteral reflux resolution or improvement was 87.5% and 100%, respectively. At the end of the study only 3 patients had persistent reflux, which was downgraded in 2. No urinary tract infections developed in any patient and none was receiving chemoprophylaxis 6 months postoperatively.

CONCLUSIONS

Our experience indicates that antireflux procedures are not routinely needed in patients with a noncompliant bladder and associated vesicoureteral reflux who undergo bladder augmentation.