Correlation of ultrasonographical findings of hydronephrosis/atrophy with 99m technetium-dimercaptosuccinic acid in childhood: A single-center experience from Turkey.

Introduction: To assess the association of frequently detected abnormalities (hydronephrosis and/or atrophy) on renal ultrasound with dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) scan and the impact of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) on these abnormalities to find new perspectives in pediatric age group.

Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the DMSA, ultrasonography (US), micturating cystourethrography (MCUG) findings, and medical records of pediatric patients with hydronephrosis and/or atrophy who were at follow-up between January 2013 and December 2016 in our center which is located in the southeast region of Turkey.

Results: Among 148 pediatric patients (male/female = 60/88), 66 had hydronephrosis, 72 had atrophy, and 10 patients had both. MCUG study detected VUR in 66 patients. Patients with atrophy were significantly older than patients with hydronephrosis (77.8 ± 58.6 vs. 39.3 ± 38.9 months, P = 0.002). Only 19.4% of our patients with atrophy had VUR. The rate of VUR was higher in the high-grade group than the mild-to-moderate-grade group although the difference was not statistically significant (80% vs. 61%, P = 0.199). Patients with high-grade hydronephrosis had more severe DMSA findings (73% vs. 39%). On the other side, 79% of the patients with high-grade VUR had severe DMSA findings. A total of 10 patients had both atrophy and hydronephrosis all affecting the left side. Six of them had VUR. Severe DMSA findings were more likely in toddlers (age 24-72 months) (48%). This finding was abruptly lowered after 72 months of age.

Conclusions: The presence of atrophy and cases of left-sided hydronephrosis should be closely monitored, and DMSA may not be necessary in cases with high-grade hydronephrosis before MCUG.