Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 29, 2026

Assessing Urinary Tract Junction Obstruction Defects by Methylene Blue Dye Injection
06:05

Assessing Urinary Tract Junction Obstruction Defects by Methylene Blue Dye Injection

Published on: October 12, 2017

Immature ureteric jet doppler patterns and urinary tract infection and vesicoureteric reflux in children

Vivian Yee Fong Leung1, Con Metreweli, Chung Kwong Yeung

  • 1Diagnostic Radiology and Organ Imaging Department, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong, China. leuyf2@ctimail.com

Ultrasound in Medicine & Biology
|September 5, 2002
PubMed

Insights

The monophasic ureteric jet pattern, an indicator of immaturity, is frequently observed in children with urinary tract infections (UTI) and vesicoureteric reflux (VUR). Its persistence is strongly linked to these conditions.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Nephrology
  • Diagnostic Ultrasound
  • Urology

Background:

  • The Doppler waveform of the ureteric jet reflects ureteric peristalsis modified by the vesicoureteric junction (VUJ) sphincteric mechanism.
  • A monophasic pattern in ureteric jets is considered indicative of physiological immaturity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the correlation between the immature monophasic ureteric jet pattern and the presence of urinary tract infection (UTI) and vesicoureteric reflux (VUR) in pediatric patients.

Main Methods:

  • Doppler ultrasound assessment of ureteric jets was performed.
  • The study included 241 healthy children and 98 children diagnosed with UTI.
  • The prevalence of the monophasic pattern was analyzed in relation to age, UTI, and VUR status.

Main Results:

  • The monophasic pattern was observed in 29% of healthy children, with significant age-related variation (nearly universal in infants <6 months, <15% in older children).
  • This immature pattern was significantly more prevalent in children with UTI (73.5%) and VUR (90.5%) compared to healthy controls (p = 0.0005).

Conclusions:

  • The persistence of the monophasic ureteric jet pattern in children is strongly associated with an increased likelihood of urinary tract infection (UTI) and vesicoureteric reflux (VUR).
  • This finding suggests the monophasic pattern may serve as a valuable, albeit immature, indicator in the diagnostic workup of pediatric urinary issues.

More Related Videos

Point-of-Care Kidney and Genitourinary Ultrasound in Adults: Image Acquisition03:19

Point-of-Care Kidney and Genitourinary Ultrasound in Adults: Image Acquisition

Published on: June 21, 2024

Related Concept Videos

Imaging Studies V: Intravenous Urography and Retrograde Pyelography01:22

Imaging Studies V: Intravenous Urography and Retrograde Pyelography

IntroductionIntravenous Urography (IVU) and Retrograde Pyelography (RP) are important diagnostic imaging techniques used to evaluate the urinary system. These methods help identify structural abnormalities, obstructions, and functional issues in the kidneys, ureters, and bladder. Both procedures use iodine-based contrast media to enhance the visibility of urinary tract structures on X-ray images, though they differ in their methods and indications.1. Intravenous Urography (IVU)Intravenous...
Urinary Tract Infection I: Introduction01:26

Urinary Tract Infection I: Introduction

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) impact various parts of the urinary system, including the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. These infections are generally bacterial, with Escherichia coli being the most common causative agent, often originating from the gastrointestinal tract. However, other bacteria, such as Staphylococcus saprophyticus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Proteus mirabilis, are also known to cause UTIs. The type, location, and underlying complexity of the UTI guide both...
Urinary Tract Infection III: Diagnostic Studies and Interprofessional Care01:30

Urinary Tract Infection III: Diagnostic Studies and Interprofessional Care

A healthcare provider can diagnose a urinary tract infection (UTI) through several methods:Medical History and Symptoms: The provider will take a detailed medical history and ask about symptoms such as frequent urination, burning sensation during urination, and lower abdominal pain.Urinalysis: A clean-catch urine sample is collected in a sterile container and tested for the presence of bacteria, white blood cells (leukocytes), nitrites, blood, and protein. The presence of leukocytes and...
Acute Pyelonephritis I: Introduction01:27

Acute Pyelonephritis I: Introduction

Pyelonephritis is a bacterial infection that primarily affects the renal parenchyma and collecting system, including the renal pelvis, tubules, and interstitial tissue of one or both kidneys. It can be classified as either acute—a sudden, severe infection—or chronic, which refers to long-term or recurrent kidney infections.The primary cause of acute pyelonephritis (APN) is bacterial infection, with Escherichia coli accounting for approximately 70-80% of cases. Other bacteria, such as Proteus,...
Imaging Studies VI: Voiding Cystourethrography and Cystography01:22

Imaging Studies VI: Voiding Cystourethrography and Cystography

Voiding Cystourethrography (VCUG) and Cystography are specialized radiographic procedures used to examine the structure and function of the bladder and urethra.Voiding Cystourethrography (VCUG)A Voiding Cystourethrogram (VCUG) is a diagnostic imaging procedure that assesses the anatomy and function of the lower urinary tract. It focuses on the bladder, bladder neck, and urethra, helping detect abnormalities such as vesicoureteral reflux (VUR)—the backward or reverse flow of urine into the...
Ureters01:22

Ureters

The ureters are retroperitoneal tubes located on either side of the vertebral column. They are responsible for transporting urine from each kidney to the urinary bladder. These tubes have thick walls and are approximately 25-30 cm long. Their diameter is around 10 mm at the renal pelvis, gradually narrowing to 1 mm as the ureter obliquely enters the posterior bladder wall through the ureteric orifices. The shape of these orifices is slit-like, which helps to prevent urine backflow toward the...