[Prognostic value of the ultrasound and diuretic renogram in the evolution of ureteropelvic junction obstruction]. / Valor pronóstico de la ecografía y el renograma diurético en la evolución de la estenosis pieloureteral.

INTRODUCTION: The congenital obstruction of the pieloureteral junction (UPJ) is the most frequent cause of hydronephrosis in children. Sometimes, establishing the convenience of a surgical procedure is difficult, mainly if we consider the literature published on the spontaneous resolution of the slight, moderate and even severe hydronephrosis in newborns. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prognostic value of ultrasound in the evolution of the unilateral hydronephrosis, by assesing the size of the contralateral kidney. To verify if the "supranormal" renal function (SRF) is real or an artefact. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We have performed a descriptive observational study over a 10 years period (1995-2005). The study included all patients with the only diagnosis of obstructive unilateral hydronephrosis that underwent pieloplasty, and were controlled for 1 year period after the surgical treatment. RESULTS: Of the 66 patients in the study, 42 were boys (63.6%) and 24 girls (36.4%). After the first diuretic renogram (DR), in 57 of the patients (86.4%) the clearance half-time (T1/2) was over 20 minutes, in 6 cases (9.1%) it was 10-20 minutes and only in 3 cases it was shorter than 10 minutes. A similar differential renal function (FRD) was observed in the moderate and severe hydronephrosis. Supranormal function (FRD > 52%) was detected on DR in 11 patients, predominating in left hidronefrosis, and in more than 50% of the cases this value it did not agree with the renal function measured by dimercapto-succinic acid (DMSA), Pearson's correlation coefficient: 0.19. These kidneys experienced a greater reduction of the postoperative renal function. CONCLUSIONS: In the unilateral obstructive hydronephrosis, the healthy contralateral kidney experiences hypertrophy detectable by ultrasound, but these ecographic diameters are within the band of individual confidence of the healthy children of reference. The supranormal function exists, but in most cases it is an artefact.

Valor pronóstico de la ecografía y el renograma diurético en la evolución de la estenosis pieloureteral / Prognostic value of the ultrasound and diuretic renogram in the evolution of ureteropelvic junction obstruction

Introducción. La obstrucción congénita de la unión pieloureteral(EPU) es la causa más frecuente de hidronefrosis en el niño. A veces, establecer la indicación quirúrgica es difícil, sobre todo si tenemos en cuenta la literatura publicada sobre la resolución espontánea de la hidronefrosis leve, moderada e incluso grave en el periodo neonatal. Objetivo. Determinar el valor pronóstico de la ecografía en la evolución de la hidronefrosis unilateral, monitorizando el tamaño del riñón contralateral. Comprobar si la función renal “supranormal” (FRS) es real o un artefacto. Pacientes y métodos. Realizamos un estudio observacional descriptivo que abarca 10 años (1995-2005). Se han considerado a efectos del estudio a todos los pacientes pediátricos con diagnóstico de hidronefrosis obstructiva que fueron sometidos a una pieloplastia, y controlados durante un período mínimo de 1 año tras el tratamiento quirúrgico. Resultados. De los 66 pacientes revisados 42 eran niños (63,6%)y 24 niñas (36,4%). Tras el primer renograma diurético (RD), en 57pacientes (86,4%) el tiempo medio de eliminación (T1/2) estaba por encima de los 20 minutos, en 6 casos (9,1%) estaba entre 10-20 minutos y sólo en 3 casos era menor de 10 minutos. Se observó una función renal diferencial (FRD) similar en las hidronefrosis moderadas y graves. En 11 pacientes encontramos una FRS (FRD>52%) renográfica, predominando en las hidronefrosis izquierdas, y en más del 50% de los casos este valor no coincidía con la FRD gammagráfica con ácido dimercaptosuccínico (DMSA), coeficiente de correlación de Pearson: 0,19. Estos riñones con FRS preoperatoria experimentaron un mayor descenso de la función renal postoperatoria. Conclusiones. En las hidronefrosis obstructivas el riñón contralateral sano experimenta una hipertrofia apreciable en la ecografía, pero estos diámetros ecográficos están dentro de la banda de confianza individual de la población sana de referencia. La función supranormal existe, pero en la mayoría de los casos es un artefacto (AU)

Introduction. The congenital obstruction of the pieloureteral junction(UPJ) is the most frequent cause of hydronephrosis in children. Sometimes, establishing the convenience of a surgical procedure is difficult, mainly if we consider the literature published on the spontaneous resolution of the slight, moderate and even severe hydronephrosis in newborns. Objective. To determine the prognostic value of ultrasound in the evolution of the unilateral hydronephrosis, by assessing the size of the contralateral kidney. To verify if the “supranormal” renal function(SRF) is a real or an artefact. Patients and methods. We have performed a descriptive observational study over a 10 years period (1995-2005). The study included all patients with the only diagnosis of obstructive unilateral hydronephrosis that underwent pieloplasty, and were controlled for 1 year period after the surgical treatment. Results. Of the 66 patients in the study, 42 were boys (63.6%) and24 girls (36.4%). After the first diuretic renogram (DR), in 57 of the patients (86.4%) the clearance half-time (T1/2) was over 20 minutes, in6 cases (9.1%) it was 10-20 minutes and only in 3 cases it was shorter than 10 minutes. A similar differential renal function (FRD) was observed in the moderate and severe hydronephrosis. Supranormal function (FRD>52%)was detected on DR in 11 patients, predominating in left hidronefrosis, and in more than 50% of the cases this value it did not agree with the renal function measured by dimercapto-succinic acid (DMSA), Pearson’s correlation coefficient: 0.19. These kidneys experienced a greater reduction of the postoperative renal function. Conclusions. In the unilateral obstructive hydronephrosis, the healthy contralateral kidney experiences hypertrophy detectable by ultrasound, but these ecographic diameters are within the band of individual confidence of the healthy children of reference. The supranormal function exists, but in most cases it is an artefact (AU)

[Multicystic renal dysplasia and Wilms tumor]. / Displasia renal multiquística y tumor de Wilms.

We review a case of multicystic right dysplasia containing nodular renal blastema in a 3-year-old girl with left Wilms tumor. In relation to this finding the management of the asymptomatic multicystic dysplastic kidney in discussed.

[Partial splenic embolization in the treatment of hypersplenism. Long-term results]. / Embolización parcial esplénica en el tratamiento del hiperesplenismo. Resultados a largo plazo.

In order to assess long term evolution of partial splenic embolization (PSE), 21 patients with hypersplenism treated by this technique from January 1984 to December 1992 have been reviewed. Between 50 and 90% of the splenic parenchyma was embolized in these patients. The follow-up period ranged between 12 and 103 months (mean = 32 months). Remaining splenic tissue was evaluated through sequential hematologic, ultrasonic and gammagraphic studies. After one year post-embolization white blood cells and platelets showed normal values. Five years later the mean values for these two parameters was lower but within the normal range. The mean reduction of splenic mass as estimated by ultrasound and gamma graphic studies was of 40% at one year and 17% at five years. Our results show that SPE can control hypersplenism, specially during the first years, but there is a tendency to a decrease in the leucocyte and platelet counts after five years. A regeneration of the splenic mass occurs in the long run after embolization. In our patients a relation between splenic regeneration and hypersplenism could not be demonstrated.

[Outcome of conservative treatment of high-degree vesicoureteral reflux]. / Resultados del tratamiento conservador en el reflujo vesicoureteral de alto grado.

We performed a retrospective study to evaluate the results of a nonsurgical approach of primary high grade vesicoureteral reflux (VUR). 241 patients (209 III and 32 IV) were reviewed during and average time of 9.4 years. 55% of them were under 6 months and 52% had bilateral reflux (50% III and 63% IV). During the observation period spontaneous resolution of reflux was observed in 126 (60%) with grade III at 5 years and 26% in patient with grade IV at 4 years. In both grades the duration of persistent reflux was analyzed using life-table method. When age at presentation was compared with duration of reflux there was a shorter time of reflux in those patients presenting from age 0 to 6 months. New renal scars developed in 5 patients during the period of observational therapy. We conclude that high grade VUR can resolve over a protracted interval. On basis of this analysis, we advocate the surgical correction in these patients after 5-year period to grade III and 2-year to grade IV.

[Gastroschisis: study of teratogenic factors]. / Gastrosquisis: estudio de factores teratogénicos.

The medical and surgical treatment of gastroschisis has improved in the last decades leading to better survival rates. Since in our institution there were the same cyclic variations in the incidence as in other large series in the literature, we have reviewed the epidemiological factors that can be at the origin of such variations. We studied 20 different variables in our patients in a case-control basis. Only five of them were significantly different between cases and controls. (Birth weight, gestational age, infection, drugs during the first three months of gestation and maternal age). The results point to the role of environmental factors more relevant in the etiology of gastroschisis than genetic ones.

[Topical treatment with oxybutynin chloride in neurogenic incontinence]. / Tratamiento tópico con cloruro de oxibutinina en la incontinencia de causa neurógena.

Intravesical oxybutynin chloride was administered to 12 children with neurogenic bladder and incontinence who had unacceptable side effects. Urodynamic studies showed hyperreflexia was eliminated or improvement in 100% of them and low compliance was improved (88%), with a mean increase in bladder volume to 123% and a mean decrease of filling pressure to 24 cm H2O. Six patients became completely dry (50%), 4 continent period was increased and 2 did not improve. No systemic effects were observed.

[A case of total intestinal aganglionosis. 2 years of survival]. / Un caso de aganglionismo intestinal total. Dos años de supervivencia.

A two-year-old male is presented. Small bowel aganglionosis was proved to extend to 3 cm below ligament of Treitz. Gastrostomy and ileostomy was done. He received his caloric intake by cyclic home parenteral nutrition trough implantable venous system. At eighteen months of age, intestinal transplantation was refused and reoperation was done. The child underwent Ziegler's miotomymiectomy on 60 cm of aganglionic jejunum. Now at twenty seven months of age he receives cyclic parenteral nutrition, and enteral feedings are being increased slowly. The weight/height was at 91 per 100 standard, intestinal motility appears much better on contrast study and he is developmentally a normal child.

[Sepsis in children using venous implants with reservoir]. / Sepsis en niños portadores de implantes venosos con reservorio.

Sepsis is a serious situation in patients with chronic central venous access. The infections complications presented with totally implanted reservoirs are studied in this paper. Twenty five venous systems for chemotherapy, total parenteral nutrition, specific drugs and blood drawing, were placed in 24 patients ranging in age from three months to sixteen years. Catheter related sepsis was defined as simultaneous positive blood cultures drawn through the reservoir and peripheral vein. Five children (20 per 100) had septicemia with candida albicans (3), staphylococcus aureus (1) and staphylococcus epidermidis (1). Four systems was removed after unsuccessful antimicrobial therapy. Three symptomatic patients were studied by echocardiography, one of them showed thrombosis in superior vena cava and right atrium, this child underwent an open atriotomy. These data suggest that removal of implantable venous system is required for successful treatment in patients with catheter related sepsis.