Urosonografía miccional con contraste de segunda generación como herramienta primaria en el estudio de la vía urinaria superior e inferior en pediatría. Estudio Piloto / Voiding urosonography with second-generation contrast as a main tool for examining the upper and lower urinary tract in children. Pilot Study

Introducción: En esta serie queremos analizar la eficacia diagnóstica de la urosonografía miccional seriada (UMS) con contraste de segunda generación, asociado a tecnología en modo armónico y específica para contraste, en el estudio de la vía urinaria en pediatría: diagnóstico y seguimiento de RVU, y también de anomalías uretrales, principalmente de las válvulas de la uretra posterior (VUP). Pacientes y métodos: Se realizó, previo consentimiento informado, estudio prospectivo con urosonografía con contraste de 2.ª generación (microburbujas de hexafluoruro de azufre, SonoVue®) en el periodo comprendido entre noviembre de 2014 a octubre de 2015 (un año) en pacientes pediátricos con sospecha de RVU, o alteración de la vía urinaria inferior (VUP). En pacientes con alta sospecha de RVU, y en los casos de VUP, se realizó además cistouretrografía miccional (CUMS) simultánea. Resultados: Fueron estudiados 40 pacientes (80 unidades renales) de entre 2 meses y 13 años (mediana 14 meses). La indicación de la prueba fue: sospecha de RVU (36 pacientes, grupo A) y seguimiento de VUP (4 pacientes, grupo B). Se correlacionó con CUMS en 16 pacientes (12 casos con alta sospecha de RVU en el grupo A y con los 4 casos de VUP del grupo B). La visualización de la uretra fue adecuada en los casos de dilatación o estenosis uretral. En 3 de estos pacientes con RVU bilateral en UMS en la CUMS solo se apreciaba de forma unilateral en 2 de los casos y sin RVU en uno; κ = 0,73. Discusión: Hemos comprobado que la visualización de la uretra ya no es una limitación, y que la UMS puede ser superior a la CUMS convencional en el diagnóstico del RVU

Introduction: In this series, we analyse the diagnostic efficacy of serial voiding urosonography (VUS) with second-generation contrast, combined harmoniously and specifically with contrast technology, in the examination of the urinary tract in children. This examination includes the diagnosis and follow-up for vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) and urethral disorders, mainly those of the posterior urethral valve (PUV). Patients and methods: After obtaining informed consent, a prospective study was conducted using urosonography with second-generation contrast (sulphur hexafluoride microbubbles, SonoVue®) from November 2014 to October 2015 (1 year) in paediatric patients with suspected VUR or PUV impairment. For patients with a high suspicion of VUR and in cases of PUV, we also conducted simultaneous voiding cystourethrography (VCUG). Results: We studied 40 patients (80 renal units) between the ages of 2 months and 13 years (median age, 14 months). The indication for the test was a suspected VUR (36 patients, group A) and PUV follow-up (4 patients, group B). The test was correlated with VCUG in 16 patients (12 cases with high suspicion of VUR in group A and with 4 cases of PUV in group B). The visualisation of the urethra was appropriate in cases of dilation or urethral stricture. For 3 of these patients with bilateral VUR demonstrated in the serial VUS, the VCUG showed only unilateral VUR in 2 of the patients and no VUR in 1 of the patients (κ = .73). Discussion: We have shown that the visualisation of the urethra is no longer a limitation and that serial VUS can be superior to conventional VCUG in diagnosing VUR

Voiding urosonography with second-generation contrast as a main tool for examining the upper and lower urinary tract in children. Pilot Study.

INTRODUCTION: In this series, we analyse the diagnostic efficacy of serial voiding urosonography (VUS) with second-generation contrast, combined harmoniously and specifically with contrast technology, in the examination of the urinary tract in children. This examination includes the diagnosis and follow-up for vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) and urethral disorders, mainly those of the posterior urethral valve (PUV). PATIENTS AND METHODS: After obtaining informed consent, a prospective study was conducted using urosonography with second-generation contrast (sulphur hexafluoride microbubbles, SonoVue®) from November 2014 to October 2015 (1 year) in paediatric patients with suspected VUR or PUV impairment. For patients with a high suspicion of VUR and in cases of PUV, we also conducted simultaneous voiding cystourethrography (VCUG). RESULTS: We studied 40 patients (80 renal units) between the ages of 2 months and 13 years (median age, 14 months). The indication for the test was a suspected VUR (36 patients, group A) and PUV follow-up (4 patients, group B). The test was correlated with VCUG in 16 patients (12 cases with high suspicion of VUR in group A and with 4 cases of PUV in group B). The visualisation of the urethra was appropriate in cases of dilation or urethral stricture. For 3 of these patients with bilateral VUR demonstrated in the serial VUS, the VCUG showed only unilateral VUR in 2 of the patients and no VUR in 1 of the patients (κ=.73). DISCUSSION: We have shown that the visualisation of the urethra is no longer a limitation and that serial VUS can be superior to conventional VCUG in diagnosing VUR.