Erectile function after partial penectomy for penile cancer

ABSTRACT Purpose: To evaluate the erectile function in patients who underwent partial penectomy and identify factors associated with penile functional status. Materials and Methods: We identified patients who underwent partial penectomy due to penile cancer between 2009 and 2014. Clinical and pathological characteristics included patient age at the time of diagnosis, obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes, smoking, metabolic syndrome, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) status, penile shaft length, tumor size, primary tumor stage (pT), clinical nodal status, and local recurrence. Erectile function was assessed prospectively with the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) at least 3 months after partial penectomy. Results: A total of 81 patients met analysis criteria. At the diagnosis, the median age was 62 years (range from 30 to 88). Median follow-up was 17 months (IQR 7-36). Of total patients, 37 (45%) had T2 or higher disease. Clinically positive nodes were present in 16 (20%) patients and seven (8.6%) developed local recurrence. Fifty patients (62%) had erectile dysfunction (ED) after partial penectomy, 30% had moderate or severe erectile dysfunction scores. Patients with ED versus without ED were similar in baseline characteristics except for age, penile shaft length, and presence of inguinal adenopathy (p <0.05). Multivariate analysis using logistic regression confirmed that older patients, shorter penile shaft length, and clinically positive lymph node were significantly associated with ED. Conclusion: Partial penectomy due to penile cancer provides adequate local control of the disease, however, proper counselling is important especially in relation to ED consequences. Preservation of penile length yields to more optimal erectile recovery.

Brazilian consensus on vesicoureteral reflux-recommendations for clinical practice

ABSTRACT Introduction Vesicoureteral Reflux (VUR) is characterized by a retrograde flow of urine from the bladder into the ureters and kidneys. It is one of the most common urinary tract anomalies and the major cause of urinary tract infection (UTI) in the first years of life. If not properly diagnosed and treated can lead to recurrent UTI, renal scar and, in severe cases, to end stage renal disease. Despite recent advances in scientific and technological knowledge, evaluation and treatment of VUR is still controversial and there is still considerable heterogeneity in evaluation methods and therapeutic approaches. The aim of the present consensus is to give a practical orientation on how to evaluate and treat VUR. Methods The board of Pediatric Urology of the Brazilian Society of Urology joined a group of experts and reviewed all important issues on Vesicoureteral Reflux evaluation and treatment and elaborated a draft of the document. On November 2017 the panel met to review, discuss and write a consensus document. Results and Discussion Vesicoureteral Reflux is a common and challenging problem in children. Children presenting with Vesicoureteral Reflux require careful evaluation and treatment to avoid future urinary tract infections and kidney scars. The panel addressed recommendations on up to date choice of diagnosis evaluation and therapies.

Brazilian consensus in enuresis-recomendations for clinical practice

ABSTRACT Introduction Enuresis, defined as an intermittent urinary incontinence that occurs during sleep, is a frequent condition, occurring in about 10% of children at 7 years of age. However, it is frequently neglected by the family and by the primary care provider, leaving many of those children without treatment. Despite of many studies in Enuresis and recent advances in scientific and technological knowledge there is still considerable heterogeneity in evaluation methods and therapeutic approaches. Materials and Methods The board of Pediatric Urology of the Brazilian Society of Urology joined a group of experts and reviewed all important issues on Enuresis and elaborated a draft of the document. On September 2018 the panel met to review, discuss and write a consensus document. Results and Discussion Enuresis is a multifactorial disease that can lead to a diversity of problems for the child and family. Children presenting with Enuresis require careful evaluation and treatment to avoid future psychological and behavioral problems. The panel addressed recommendations on up to date choice of diagnosis evaluation and therapies.

Validation of the urgency questionnaire in Portuguese: A new instrument to assess overactive bladder syndrome

ABSTRACT Purpose Overactive Bladder (OAB) is a clinical condition characterized by symptoms reported by patients. Therefore, measurement instruments based on reported information are important for understanding its impact and treatment benefits. The aim of this study was to translate, culturally adapt and validate the Urgency Questionnaire (UQ) in Portuguese. Materials and Methods Initially, the UQ was translated and culturally adapted to Portuguese. Sixty-three volunteers were enrolled in the study and were interviewed for responding the Portuguese version of the UQ and the validated Portuguese version of the Overactive Bladder Questionnaire short-form (OABq-SF), used as the gold standard measurement for the validation process. Psychometric properties such as criterion validity, stability, and reliability were tested. Results Forty-six subjects were included in the symptomatic group (presence of "urgency"), and seventeen were included in the asymptomatic group (control group). There was difference between symptomatic and asymptomatic subjects on all of the subscales (p≤0.001). The UQ subscales correlated with the OABq-SF subscales (p≤0.01), except the subscale "time to control urgency" and the item "impact" from the visual analog scales (VAS). However, these scales correlated with the OABq-SF - Symptom Bother Scale. The UQ subscales demonstrated stability over time (p<0.05), but the subscale "fear of incontinence" and the item "severity" of the VAS did not. All of the UQ subscales showed internal consistencies that were considered to be good or excellent. Conclusion The Portuguese version of the UQ proved to be a valid tool for the evaluation of OAB in individuals whose native language is Portuguese.

4-Ports endoscopic extraperitoneal radical prostatectomy: preliminary and learning curve results

ABSTRACT Introduction There is a lack of studies in our national scenario regarding the results obtained by laparoscopic radical prostatectomy technique (LRP). Except for a few series, there are no consistent data on oncological, functional, and perioperative results on LRP held in Brazil. As for the LRP technique performed by extraperitoneal access (ELRP), when performed by a single surgeon, the results are even scarcer. Objective To analyze the early perioperative and oncologic results obtained with the ELRP, throughout the technical evolution of a single surgeon. Patients and methods A non-randomized retrospective study was held in a Brazilian hospital of reference. In the 5-year period, 115 patients underwent the ELRP procedure. Patients were divided into two groups, the first 57 cases (Group 1) and the following 58 cases, (Group 2). A comparative analysis between the groups of efficacy results and ELRP safety was carried out. Results The average age of patients was 62.8 year-old and the PSA of 6.9ng/dl. The total surgery time was 135.8 minutes on average, and the urethral-bladder anastomosis was 21.9 min (23.3 min versus 20.7 min). The positive surgical margins (PSM) rate was 17.1%, showing no difference between groups (16.4% versus 17.9%; p=0.835). There was statistical difference between the groups in relation to the anastomosis time, estimated blood loss and the withdrawal time of the urinary catheter. Conclusion The ELRP technique proved to be a safe and effective procedure in the treatment of prostate cancer, with low morbidity.

Conhecimento de médicos e enfermeiros obstetras sobre a prevenção dos defeitos no tubo neural / Knowledge of physicians and obstetric nurses about the prevention of neural tube defects

Foi avaliado o nível de conhecimento de médicos e enfermeiros obstetras sobre a utilização de ácido fólico (AF) para a prevenção dos defeitos do fechamento do tubo neural (DFTN). Estudo descritivo transversal no qual 118 voluntários (95 médicos e 23 enfermeiros), responderam um questionário com 21 perguntas sobre a prevenção dos DFTN. Os dados foram analisados em função do conhecimento relatado, das recomendações preconizadas pelo Ministério da Saúde (MS) e das evidências científicas (EC) disponíveis sobre o assunto investigado. O nível de conhecimento baseado nas EC e nas recomendações do MS foi diferente (4,64 ± 0,20 vs 5,55 ± 0,15; p < 0,001; Média ± EPM). Não houve diferença entre o nível de conhecimento quando comparado à formação dos mesmos, ao tempo que realizam atendimento pré-natal e entre as duas classes de profissionais avalia­dos. Houve diferença entre o nível de conhecimento relatado e o baseado nas EC (6,76 ± 0,18 vs 4,64 ± 0,15; p < 0,001) e o baseado nas recomendações do MS (6,76 ± 0,18 vs 5,55 ± 0,20; p < 0,001), 94,1% dos profissionais conhecem o papel do ácido fólico, contudo, 64,2% relataram não saber quando iniciar a suplementação no pré-natal. Frente ao exposto foi verificado que a grande maioria dos avaliados relatou conhecer a importância do AF na prevenção do DFTN, porém, existe ainda desconhecimento sobre o assunto investigado.

The scope of this study was to evaluate the knowledge of obstetricians and obstetric nurses about folic acid in the prevention of neural tube defects (NTD). A cross-sectional study was conducted in which 118 volunteers (95 physicians and 23 nurses) answered a questionnaire with 21 questions about prevention of NTD. The data were analyzed according to the reported knowledge, the recommendations made by the Brazilian Ministry of Health (MOH) and the scientific evidence (SE) available in the literature on the topic. The knowledge based on the SE and recommendations of MOH was different (4.64 ± 0.20 vs. 5.55 ± 0.15, p <0.001, Mean ± SEM). There was no difference between the knowledge of respondents compared to their training, the time spent in prenatal care and between the two classes of professionals evaluated. There were differences between the reported knowledge and that based on SE (6.76 ± 0.18 vs. 4.64 ± 0.15, p <0.001) and based on the MOH recommendations (6.76 ± 0.18 vs. 5.55 ± 0.20, p <0.001). Thus, the conclusion reached was that 94.1% of those evaluated reported knowing the importance of folic acid in preventing NTD, though 64.2% reported that they did not know when to begin administration of the supplement.

Cross-cultural adaptation of the dysfunctional voiding score symptom (DVSS) questionnaire for Brazilian children

PURPOSE: To translate and culturally adapt the Dysfunctional Voiding Symptom Score (DVSS), questionnaire into Brazilian Portuguese. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The 10-item Dysfunctional Voiding Symptom Score (DVSS) was translated into Brazilian Portuguese according to a standard methodology: translation, synthesis, back-translation, Expert Committee, and pre-testing. After the translation process the final version was pre-tested and patient responses were analyzed to identify necessary modifications. Reliability was evaluated using the test-retest method, and internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha. RESULTS: The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was calculated in the test and retest phases. Internal consistency was found to be satisfactory, as confirmed by a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.76 for the test and 0.77 for the retest. A high degree of stability was found in the test/retest, with an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of 0.960 (p < 0.001; 95 percent CI: 0.943-0.972). CONCLUSION: The cross-cultural adaptation process of the Dysfunctional Voiding Symptom Score questionnaire to be used on Brazilian children was successfully completed following internationally accepted methodologies.

Histopathological evaluation of urethroplasty with dorsal buccal mucosa: an experimental study in rabbits

PURPOSE: Buccal mucosa is a widely accepted tissue for urethroplasty. The exact healing and tissue integration process, mainly the histological characteristics of dorsal buccal mucosa graft urethroplasty when used dorsally to reconstruct the urethral plate has not previously been assessed, and thus we developed an experimental model to address this question. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 12 New Zealand rabbits (weight 2.5 kg) we surgically created a dorsal penile urethral defect. A buccal mucosa graft was sutured to the corpora and tunica albuginea, and the ventral urethra anastomosed to this new urethral plate. The animals were divided in three groups and sacrificed 1, 3 and 6 weeks after surgery (groups 1, 2 and 3). A retrograde urethrogram was obtained at autopsy in the last group and the penis analyzed histologically with hematoxylin-eosin and Masson's staining. RESULTS: The urethrograms showed no evidence of fistula or stricture. In group 1 the histopathological analysis showed submucosal lymph-mononuclear inflammatory edema, numerous eosinophils and squamous epithelium integrated into the adjacent urothelium. In group 2 there was no evidence of an inflammatory response but rather complete subepithelial hyaline healing, which was more marked in group 3. CONCLUSION: Healing of buccal mucosa grafts to reconstruct the urethral plate can be achieved by total integration of the squamous epithelium with the urothelium, maintaining the original histological properties of the graft with no fibrosis or retraction.

The tunica vaginalis dorsal graft urethroplasty: initial experience

INTRODUCTION: Nowadays, buccal mucosa grafts are the most successful method to reconstruct bulbar urethral strictures. Dorsal placement of the graft has been recently proposed, allowing the graft to be spread fixed on the tunica albuginea of the corporal bodies overlying the stricture. The dorsal graft is ingenious and represents a useful addition to the surgical armamentarium, since it offers a better chance for graft take than does the spongiosum when the urethra is diseased and poorly vascularized. We developed an additional reconstructive option using tunica vaginalis grafts, placed dorsally, for the treatment of anterior urethral strictures. SURGICAL TECHNIQUE: A total of 11 patients with anterior urethral strictures were treated with a tunica vaginalis graft urethroplasty. The surgical technique was done as described by Barbagli. The urethra was dissected from the corpora cavernosa and rotated 180 degrees. The dorsal urethral surface was exposed and fully opened. Both the distal and proximal lumina were calibrated. The tunica vaginalis graft was sutured, splayed and quilted over the corpora cavernosa using 6-0 PDS running stitches. The left side of the urethral mucosa was sutured to the graft using 6-0 PDS sutures. A 18F silicone Foley catheter was inserted at this point. The urethra was rotated back to its original position and sutured laterally to the right side of the graft. At the end of the procedure, the graft was completely covered by the urethra. With a follow-up ranging from 7 weeks to 5 months, all patients were voiding well (uroflowmetry > 14 mL per second). CONCLUSION: This initial experience in 11 patients indicates that tunica vaginalis dorsal graft urethroplasty may be considered within the reconstructive armamentarium of genitourinary surgeons.

Spontaneous resolution rates of vesicoureteral reflux in Brazilian children: a 30-year experience

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated clinical characteristics of primary vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) in infants in a 30-year period in Brazil with special reference to the relation of renal parenchymal damage to urinary tract infection and gender. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 1975 through 2005, 417 girls (81.6 percent) and 94 boys (18.4 percent) with all grades of reflux were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were categorized by the worst grade of reflux, maintained on antibiotic prophylaxis and underwent yearly voiding cystourethrography until the reflux was resolved. VUR was considered resolved when a follow-up cystogram demonstrated no reflux. Surgical correction was recommended for those who fail medical therapy, severe renal scarring or persistent VUR. RESULTS: Grades I to V VUR resolved in 87.5 percent, 77.6 percent, 52.8 percent, 12.2 percent and 4.3 percent, respectively. Renal scars were present at presentation in 98 patients (19.2 percent). Neither gender nor bilaterality versus unilaterality was a helpful predictor of resolution. The significant difference was found among the curves using the log rank (p < 0.001) or Wilcoxon (p < 0.001) test. CONCLUSION: Despite the current use of screening prenatal ultrasound, many infants are still diagnosed as having vesicoureteral reflux only after the occurrence of urinary tract infection in our country. Scarring may be associated to any reflux grade and it may be initially diagnosed at any age but half of the scars are noted with higher grades of reflux (IV and V). The incidence of reflux related morbidity in children has significantly diminished over the last three decades.

Simplified upper pole nephrectomy: initial experience

OBJECTIVE: To assess the results of an upper pole nephrectomy technique on 5 children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Upper pole nephrectomy was performed on 5 children, including 4 females and 1 male. Age ranged from 3 to 6 years old. The technique was performed without initial dissection of the renal pedicle. The upper pole is incised and removed. Upon its complete dissection, the segment that drains the upper pole is easily identified, clamped and sectioned. RESULTS: Three children with ureterocele and 2 with ectopic ureter underwent this procedure. There was no intra- or postoperative complication with this technique. DSMA scintigraphy showed no decrease in renal function in the remaining kidney following the procedure. CONCLUSION: The polar nephrectomy technique is simple, and has the advantage of not approaching the renal hilum, which makes surgery less laborious and prevents risk of renal damage, hemorrhage and decreased function in the remaining renal portion.

Avaliação da túnica vaginal como enxerto dorsal na reconstrução uretral: estudos experimental em coelhos / The tunica vaginalis dorsal graft urethroplasty: experimental study in rabbits

Introdução: Através da utilização de um modelo experimental de defeito uretral foi estudada a reconstrução uretral com aplicação de enxerto de túnica vaginal na superfície dorsal da uretra. Foram estudados os aspectos histológicos e radiológicos da uretroplastia com enxerto de túnica vaginal. Material e métodos: Em 20 coelhos machos da raça neozelandesa foi criado um defeito uretral através da excisão de um segmento da superfície uretral dorsal. O enxerto de túnica vaginal foi então aplicado sobre a superfície dos corpos cavernosos com pontos de ancoragem e a margem mucosa do defeito uretral foi suturada ao enxerto com vycril@ 6-0. Os animais foram divididos em quatro grupos iguais e sacrificados após 2, 4, 8 e 12 semanas. Todos os animais realizaram uretrocistografia miccional imediatamente antes do sacrifício. As peças cirúrgicas foram enviadas para exame histológico e foi avaliada a evolução da reação inflamatória aguda e crônica, a reação de corpo estranho e a presença de necrose e fibrose. Resultados: Nenhum animal foi a óbito decorrente do procedimento cirúrgico e não houve complicações trans-operatórias. A avaliação radiológica através de uretrocistografia não demonstrou fístulas ou estenoses em nenhum dos animais. A medida que o período pós-operatório evoluiu os sinais de inflamação foram desaparecendo e a orientação das fibras colágenas foi reassumindo um padrão semelhante à uretra normal. O revestimento mesotelial da túnica vaginal foi gradualmente sendo substituído por um epitélio mais estratificado similar ao epitélio da uretra nativa. Conclusão: No presente estudo foi observado que o enxerto de túnica vaginal quando aplicado dorsalmente pode ser um bom substituto uretral neste modelo animal.

Findings in cystourethrography that suggest lower urinary tract dysfunction in children with vesicoureteral reflux

PURPOSE: Children with lower urinary tract dysfunction and vesicoureteral reflux, at cystography assessment, frequently present alterations in the lower urinary tract anatomy such as dilated posterior urethra, irregularity of the bladder wall and diverticula. However, the significance of these findings is unknown. The objective of this study is to evaluate the incidence of these findings, their time of disappearance and their correlation with the severity of the reflux. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 193 children with vesicoureteral reflux, considered simple, in the age group above 5 years at the moment of diagnosis, were analyzed. The recommendation for follow-up of these patients was one voiding cystoureterography (VCUG) each year. Only patients with a minimum of 2 VCUGs performed in a period of at least 6 months were considered. The VCUGs were classified as positive and negative in relation to findings that were characteristic of lower urinary tract dysfunction (LUTD). RESULTS: From the 193 children analyzed, 50 (26 percent) presented positive VCUG and 143 negative VCUG. From the patients without symptoms of lower urinary tract dysfunction (n = 135), 12 (9 percent) presented positive VCUG and 123 (91 percent) a negative VCUG. From the patients with negative VCUG, 68 (48 percent) presented unilateral reflux and 75 (52 percent) presented bilateral reflux. From those with positive VCUG, 26 (52 percent) had unilateral reflux and 24 bilateral reflux (48 percent). This difference was not statistically significant. A higher incidence of grade II reflux was more evident in patients with negative VCUG and degree III in patients with positive VCUG (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated that 64 percent of the patients with LUTD and reflux presented findings in the VCUG that suggest dysfunction.

Efficacy of intrarectal lidocaine hydrochloride gel for pain control in patients undergoing transrectal prostate biopsy

OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of intrarectal lidocaine hydrochloride gel in reducing pain in patients undergoing transrectal prostate biopsy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: During the period from June to Noviber 2002, 72 patients undergoing transrectal prostate biopsy at an outpatient service were prospectively randomized. Patients were divided into 2 groups. In group 1, 20 mL of 2 percent lidocaine gel were administered by intrarectal route 15 minutes before biopsy. In group 2 (placebo), 20 mL of ultrasound gel were administered under the same conditions. At the end of the procedure, patients were asked to classify the discomfort degree observed during the procedure through a verbal pain scale. Statistical analysis was performed through qui-square test. RESULTS: The majority of patients in both groups presented slight pain on the examination, and 26 patients (76.4 percent) from group 1, and 26 (68.3 percent) patients from group 2 reported slight pain or no pain at all (p > 0.05). Moderate or intense pain was felt by 23.4 percent of patients in group 1 and 31.5 percent of patients in group 2 (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that lidocaine probably exerts a minimal effect on patientsÆ tolerance to pain on transrectal prostate biopsy.

Spontaneous nephrocutaneous fistula

Spontaneous renal fistula to the skin is rare. The majority of cases develop in patients with antecedents of previous renal surgery, renal trauma, renal tumors, and chronic urinary tract infection with abscess formation. We report the case of a 62-year old woman, who complained of urine leakage through the skin in the lumbar region for 2 years. She underwent a fistulography that revealed drainage of contrast agent to the collecting system and images suggesting renal lithiasis on this side. The patient underwent simple nephrectomy on this side and evolved without intercurrences in the post-operative period. Currently, the occurrence of spontaneous renal and perirenal abscesses is extremely rare, except in patients with diabetes, neoplasias and immunodepression in general.

Cake kidney drained by single ureter

Cake kidney is a rare congenital anomaly of the urogenital tract, with a few more than 20 cases described in the literature. It can be diagnosed at any age range. Normally, drainage is achieved by 2 ureters, and there are only 5 reports in the literature of cake kidney drained by a single ureter. The authors describe one more case of this rare malformation of the urinary tract.

Prevalência de coilocitose em biópsias penianas de parceiros de mulheres com lesões genitais induzidas pelo HPV / Prevalence of koilocytosis in penile biopsies of partners of women with HPV-induced genital lesions

OBJETIVO: determinar a prevalência de coilocitose em biópsias penianas de parceiros de mulheres com lesões genitais induzidas pelo HPV e analisar os fatores de risco envolvidos com a infecção peniana. MÉTODOS: foram incluídos neste estudo de coorte transversal 80 parceiros de mulheres com lesões induzidas pelo HPV no período de maio de 2002 a junho de 2003. A média de idade dos pacientes foi de 34,1 anos (variando de 16 a 63). Todos os pacientes negavam ou desconheciam qualquer tipo de lesão genital. Foram submetidos à anamnese específica quanto a presença de sintomas uretrais, passado de doenças sexualmente transmissíveis (DST), número de parceiras sexuais, uso de preservativos e postectomia. Posteriormente foram submetidos à peniscopia com a utilização de soluções de ácido acético e azul de toluidina, tendo sido colhido material para biópsia das lesões de aspecto morfológico sugestivo de contaminação por HPV. A análise estatística foi realizada pelo teste do chi2. RESULTADOS: o exame foi considerado negativo em 24 pacientes (30 por cento). Todos os outros 56 pacientes (70 por cento) apresentaram lesões acetobrancas e azul de toluidina positivas. Destes, 53 foram biopsiados, e 41 pacientes (77,3 por cento) apresentaram biópsia com alterações histológicas sugestivas de infecção pelo HPV. CONCLUSÕES: a prevalência da infecção genital masculina pelo HPV foi de 51,2 por cento, e nenhum fator de risco analisado foi associado com uma maior prevalência da infecção genital pelo vírus.

Tratamento do carcinoma renal metastático / Treatment of the metastic renal cell carcinoma

O carcinoma de células renais (COR) é a sétíma principal causa de câncer, respondendo por 3por cento dos tumores malignos no homem. Em um terço dos casos se apresenta como doença avançada e até 50por cento dos pacientes tratados cirurgicamente terão recidiva tumoral Acomete os homens duas vezez mais frequentemente que as mulheres e é mais comum entre a quinta e a sétima década de vida. O CCR teve sua incidência aumentada a partir da década de 70 devido ao uso rotineiro do ultra-som e aumento dos fatores de risco na população como fumo, obesidade e hipertensão. Pacientes com CCR metastático não tratados têm uma sobrevida média de seis a dez meses e apenas 10por cento a 20por cento estarão vivos após dois anos. Atualmente, com um melhor estudo da biologia e história natural do CCR, muitos avanços têm ocorrido nas áreas da genética molecular e ímunologia. Os autores fazem uma revisão das atuais modalidades terapêuticas do CCR avançado.

Comparative study between intravenous urography and renal scintigraphy with DMSA for the diagnosis of renal scars in children with vesicoureteral reflux

PURPOSE: To assess the value of intravenous urography (IVU) in detecting and grading the renal scar, comparing its results with those of scintigraphy with dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 43 children investigated by DMSA and IVU, who had vesicoureteral reflux diagnosed and classified through voiding cystourethrography. RESULTS: Among the kidneys with reflux, there was agreement between the results of DMSA and IVU concerning the presence and the absence of scars in 82.4 percent of the cases. Based on the results obtained, IVU would have a sensitivity of 66.6 percent, specificity of 94.4 percent; accuracy of 82.5 percent; positive predictive value (PPV) of 90 percent and negative predictive value (NPV) of 79 percent, when compared with DMSA results. Our data also confirm the close relation between the reflux grade and the presence of renal scar, since 75 percent of the kidneys with grade IV and V reflux presented scars. In relation to the grading of nephropathy, in 78 percent of patients the classification of the scar by both methods was identical. The highest disagreement was verified in the group with segmental scar on DMSA, where 41.6 percent of the kidneys were classified as normal on IVU. CONCLUSION: The data obtained confirm that the scintigraphy with DMSA is essential in the investigation of patients with renal scar, and cannot be replaced by IVU, due to its low sensitivity and lower ability of satisfactory grading.

Ultrasound evaluation of renal scarring in children with vesicouretral reflux / Avaliação ultra-sonográfica das cicatrizes renais em crianças com refluxo vesico-ureteral

Introdução: Um dos objetivos do tratamento do refluxo vesicoureteral (RVU) é evitar o aparecimento de cicatrizes renais. O exame de escolha para avaliação do parênquima renal é a cintilografia com DMSA (99mTc ácido dimercaptossuccínico). Por outro lado, a ultra-sonografia, devido a sua praticidade, ausência de morbidade e baixo custo, tem-se tornado um exame rotineiro no acompanhamento dos pacientes portadores de patologias urológicas. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a acurácia da ultra-sonografia na detecção de cicatrizes renais nos pacientes portadores de RVU. Material e métodos: Foram avaliados retrospectivamente 88 pacientes tratados em nossa instituição que realizaram ultra-som e DMSA durante a avaliação urológica. Todos os exames ultra-sonográficos foram revisados por um único radiologista com experiência em patologias renais. As cicatrizes renais foram classificadas como focais ou generalizadas. Os achados ao ultra-som foram comparados à cintilografia, e foram determinados os seguintes parâmetros: valor preditivo positivo, valor preditivo negativo, sensibilidade e especificidade do método. Resultados: Dos 41 pacientes que apresentavam sinais sugestivos de cicatriz renal ao ultra-som, houve confirmação deste achado em 36. Por outro lado, dentre os 47 pacientes que apresentavam ultra-som normal, houve o achado de 14 cicatrizes renais. O valor preditivo positivo, valor preditivo negativo, sensibilidade e especificidade da ultra-sonografia foram de 87,5 porcento, 61 porcento, 66 porcento e 84 porcento, respectivamente. A estratificação dos pacientes demonstrou que quando as cicatrizes são focais a correlação é de apenas 32 porcento, enquanto que é de 96,5 porcento, quando a lesão é generalizada. Conclusão: O exame ultra-sonográfico renal, quando realizado por operador experiente e em equipamento de alta resolução, apresenta boa acurácia, na detecção de cicatrizes generalizadas do rim, no entanto tem um papel limitado na detecção de cicatrizes focais.