Renal ultrasound changes after internal double-J stented pyeloplasty for ureteropelvic junction obstruction.

PURPOSE: Renal ultrasound changes after pediatric pyeloplasty were reported recently in the literature, mainly on unstented pyeloplasties. We evaluated the time to improvement or resolution of hydronephrosis in pediatric patients who underwent double-J stented pyeloplasty for ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction and compared our results to unstented pyeloplasties. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ultrasonic grading of hydronephrosis after double-J stented pyeloplasty was performed according to the Society for Fetal Urology criteria at intervals of 0 to 3. 3 to 6, 6 to 12, and greater than 12 months postoperatively. Twenty-six pyeloplasties met all criteria for inclusion. The median patient age was 4 months. RESULTS: Of the 26 pyeloplasties studied, 18 kidneys had grade 4, 7 grade 3, and I grade 2 hydronephrosis. Twenty-two percent of kidneys with grade 4 hydronephrosis had resolution of pyelocaliectasis at the 0- to 3-month ultrasound examination; all of these kidneys had the stents removed prior to being studied. No patient with improvement of hydronephrosis worsened on subsequent examinations. All but three patients improved over 1-year follow-up: 11 (42%) to grade 0, 5 (19.2%) to grade 1, 6 (23%) to grade 2, and 1 (3.8%) to grade 3. The average final grade was 1.56 for grade 4 and 0.57 for grade 3 hydronephrosis. This represented more rapid improvement than unstented pyeloplasties. Average indwelling time for double-J stent was 52 days. CONCLUSIONS: Improvement and sometimes resolution of hydronephrosis after internal double-J stented pyeloplasty for UPJ obstruction is rapid and can occur within the first 3 months postoperatively. One year postoperatively, the majority of renal units have grade 2 hydronephrosis or less. We recommend the use of indwelling double-J ureteral stents in all pediatric patients undergoing dismembered pyeloplasty for UPJ obstruction to allow for more rapid improvement and possible resolution ofpyelocaliectasis. Further comparison of stented vs. unstented pyeloplasty is needed.

Septic arthritis secondary to vesicoureteral reflux into single ectopic ureter.

A 3-week-old male infant, born full term without complication, developed septic arthritis of his left shoulder. His joint fluid, blood, and bone marrow were all positive for Escherichia coli. Urinalysis demonstrated pyuria. Urine culture obtained after one dose of ceftriaxone and several doses of nafcillin was negative. Work-up revealed a refluxing, right single ectopic ureter with severe hydroureteronephrosis and a non-functioning ipsilateral kidney. After appropriate management of the musculoskeletal infection, he underwent a right nephroureterectomy. Coliform septic arthritis is exceedingly rare in children, with only a few cases reported. We report the first case of septic arthritis with anomalous genitourinary tract development as the source of bacterial seeding. This report re-emphasizes the need to screen the urinary tract in all cases of pediatric gram-negative sepsis.