[Isolated fetal pyelectasis: pathologic significance and therapeutic implications]

We report a retrospective study of nine neonatal observations of antenatal isolated pyelectasis during a period of two years. Pyelectasis associated with other congenital abnormalities and in utero died foetus were excluded. Finding interesting sex, gestational age at diagnosis, echographic aspect, antenatal management and postnatal follow-up were assigned. Foetal kidneys was noted in two cases and an oligoamnios was noted in two other cases. No foetal urinary intervention was assessed. Postnatal exploration revealed a transitional pyelectasis in four cases, an ureteropelvic junction obstruction in four cases and a congenital megauretere in one case. Postnatal renal function was decreased in two cases. Postnatal surgery was assessed in two cases and a spontaneous regression under a sequential treatment occurred in the other three cases. Isolated foetal pyelectasis can have a pathologic significance.This examination permits, in plus, to evaluate the renal prognosis. Antenatal therapeutic implications of interruption of pregnancy or urinary intervention are still not clear and those after birth depend essentially on renal function determined by scintigraphy.