Renal cortical scan as the first investigation in identifying children at risk for vesicoureteral reflux and renal defects: A 10-year retrospective review of DMSA and VCUG imaging in patients with first febrile urinary tract infection

The objective of the study is to determine the accuracy of renal cortical scan in detection of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) in children five years old and below diagnosed with urinary tract infection and to determine if Renal cortical scan can predict the prevalence of VUR in children and screening those who will need voiding cystourethrography (VCUG).METHODS: The medical records of 302 patients who presented with a first febrile urinary tract infection and underwent VCUG and renal cortical scan during a 10-year period starting from 2000 to 2010 were reviewed retrospectively. Patients with systemic diseases other than acute pyelonephritis/VUR and those with other concomitant anatomic or neurological abnormalities were dropped from the study. Included participants were then grouped according to age range; 1 day to 1 month, 1 to 12 months, 13 to 24 months, and 2 to 5 years.RESULTS: The study consisted of 302 patients and 604 renal units. Males were 45.3% and females were 54.6% of the population. Computed odds ratio and relative risk associated with positive VUR and renal cortical scan using dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) was at 4.15 [Cl 2.93-5.908] and 2.398 [Cl 1.924-2.989] respectively. This suggests that patients with positive Renal cortical scans are 4.15 times more likely to have VUR, or conversely, the risk of developing VUR with a positive renal cortical scan is approximately 2.398 times than if DMSA results were negative. Renal cortical scan has been found to be 96.6% sensitive in detecting VUR among patients with the condition and is 89.82% specific in detecting the absence of VUR among normal individuals [PPV 55.8% and NPV 76.7%].CONCLUSION: Renal cortical scan could be used a first line imaging investigation tool for determining high grade VUR. VCUG may not be necessary in all young children with first febrile UTI when the renal cortical scan is negative. VCUG could be warranted only foe those children with positive results on renal cortical scan.

Cost-effectiveness of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy vs percutaneous nephrolithotomy in the management of lower pole nephrolithiasis: A study in local figures

OBJECTIVE: We determined the efficacy of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) monotherapy and compared its cost-effectiveness with percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) for the management of lower pole renal calculi with a size of 1.0cm to 2.0cm in widest dimension. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using the cost estimate data available locally from patient billing charges and average professional fee, efficacy and complication rates data from the literature, the cost-effectiveness for the percutaneous nephrolithotomy and shock wave lithotripsy as primary therapy for lower pole stones were evaluated. We developed a decision analysis model in which a patient in whom primary therapy (either ESWL or PCNL failed was rendered stone-free with secondary ESWL using a trial version add-in software for Microsoft Excel from www.TreePlan.com with some modifications. RESULTS: The average cost over all outcomes from the decision to perform ESWL in patients with lower pole stones 1.0 to 2.0 cm is Php 53,801.07 and Php 127,019.27 for PCNL. For PCNL to be as cost effective, cost incurred should be lowered to Php 47,746.38 CONCLUSIONS: Extracoporeal shock wave lithotripsy, despite its considerable low efficacy as compared to PCNL as a primary treatment for lower pole stones 1.0 to 2.0 cm, is still more cost-effective.

Pulmonary calcification detected by bone scintigraphy in a pediatric case of acute lymphoblastic leukemia

This is a case report of a pediatric patient with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and presenting with a rare finding of bilateral pulmonary calcification. The patient's pulmonary calcification was detected as an incidental finding during a routine bone scan performed to evaluate the patient's bone pains. Bone scintigraphy is one of the most sensitive and efficient modalities for detecting extra-osseous calcification.