Giant hydronephrosis in children: diagnosis and therapeutic aspects

ABSTRACT

To evaluate the clinical aspects, diagnostic and therapeutic problems of giant hydronephrosis in children managed at the Department of Urology of the University Hospital of Dakar, Senegal. In this retrospective -study all cases of giant hydronephrosis in children managed at the Department of Urology of Aristide Le Dantec Hospital, Dakar, between February 2000 and February 2007 were reviewed. The parameters studied were the epidemiological and clinical aspects, laboratory and imaging investigations and therapy, as well as the short, medium and long-term outcome. Our series included 7 patients with a mean age of 6.1 years [range 8 months - 12 years]. In 5 out of 7 cases, giant hydronephrosis was found on the left side. Ultrasonography was performed in all cases, and the giant hydronephrosis was first misdiagnosed as cystic renal disease in 6 cases. Intravenous urography revealed a non-functioning kidney in 4 cases. CT scan, performed in 6 cases, confirmed the diagnosis and provided further information about the remaining parenchyma. Nephrostomy was performed pre-operatively in 4 cases. Three patients underwent pyeloplasty, while nephrectomy was performed in 4 cases. At follow-up, a pelvi-ureteric stenosis associated with a colonic fistula was noted in one patient. Long-term follow up was uneventful in all patients. CT scan is the method of choice for the diagnosis of hydronephrosis. Nephrostomy allows an evaluation of the renal function and facilitates the extraperitoneal approach to the kidney