Intrarenal reflux and its relationship to renal scarring

Intrarenal reflux found during voiding cystourethrography in children has been suggested to be a significant factor in the production of renal damage. To investigate its incidence and effect on renal growth the records and roentgenograms of 150 children with known vesicoureteral reflux were reviewed. Of these children 15 had evidence of intrarenal reflux. Their IVPs were studied for signs of renal parenchymal damage at the time of the initial voiding cystogram as well as up to 4 years later. Evidence of renal damage was seen in 4 of the 15 patients with intrarenal reflux. These same 4 children had gross vesicoureteral reflux.