Study of Post Procedural Complications Associated with Voiding Cystourethrography

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Voiding cystourethrography(VCUG) is a commonly performed diagnostic procedure in children with urinary tract infections. Recently, with the widespread use of prenatal ultrasonography, VCUG is performed as part of the postnatal radiological evaluation of asymptomatic infants with prenatally detected hydronephrosis. The procedure is relatively simple but it involves discomfort and some complications. We studied post procedural symptoms and complications in children who underwent VCUG. METHODS: This study reviewed 269 patients who underwent VCUG in our hospital between October 2005 and September 2006. We did a chart review and a telephone interview with the patients' parents about symptoms and complications associated with VCUG. RESULTS: Among 269 children, 217 patients(80.7%) were under 2 years of age and 5 patients (1.9%) were over 8 years of age. Their mean age was 13.1+/-22.9 months. After VCUG, dysuria was found in 49 patients presented with dysuria, and irritability in 36 patients with irritability. Other complications were hematuria, fever, frequency, bladder rupture and urinary tract infection. Mean symptoms duration was 1.4+/-0.7 days. There was no significant relationship between prophylactic antibiotics use and complication rate associated with VCUG. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrated that 32.7% of patients showed complications including bladder rupture and urinary tract infection after VCUG. We also found that prophylactic antibiotics use did not prevent urinary tract infection nor decrease the rate of complications associated with VCUG. Therefore, we suggest that the procedure must be done carefully and aseptically, and we should closely observe the children who undergo VCUG for development of possible complications.