[Posterior uretral valves, about a series of 44 cases]

ABSTRACT

To explore the physical symptoms and radiological findings for the diagnosis of posterior urethral valves [PUV], to point of the therapeutic snags depending on gravity and delay of lesions. We reviewed the records of 44 patients with PUV. Mean age 2 years 1/2 [range 1 day-13 years]. More than 75% of patients were less than 2 years old. In utero diagnosis was made in 8 patients [14%]. After birth, the diagnosis was based on urological signs [as frequent as diagnosis is made belatedly] and extra urological signs. Cystourethrography [CUG] showed posterior urethral dilation in all cases. Ultrasonography [US] showed abnormalities in 30 cases and intravenous urography [IVU], made in 21 cases, was normal in appearance in 7 of them. At diagnosis, it was a renal failure in 36 patients and 8 of them had a terminal renal deficiency. Urethroscopy made in 40 patients, showed PUV in all cases. There were 29 types I valves, 3 type II valves, 5 type III and 3 unclassifiables cases. Treatment was endoscopic in 41 cases and by lamination in the 3 others. Mean follow up is 9 years [range16months-19 years] and 19 patients have terminal renal failure from which 3 are deceased. PUV are dangerous obstructive uropathies in boy whom end at terminal renal failure in more than 33% of cases. Precocious diagnosis and early ablation of PUV are able to limit the complications inherent to this pathology