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[External ear and abnormality of the urinary tract: a comparative study of 2 series (100 and 150 cases)]
P Perrin1, H Barthelmé, D Mayot
1C.H.R.U. de Nancy-Brabois, Clinique ORL du Pr C. Perrin, Vandoeuvre les Nancy, France.
Insights
Pinnal anomalies in children may indicate underlying urinary tract malformations. Early detection through ear examination and abdominal echography is crucial for timely intervention and preventing kidney damage.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Urology
- Medical Genetics
- Embryology
Background:
- Pinnal anomalies are external ear malformations.
- Urinary tract malformations (UTMs) can lead to severe health issues.
- Early detection of UTMs is vital to prevent irreversible kidney damage.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between pinnal anomalies and urinary tract malformations in children.
- To highlight the importance of auricle examination in identifying potential UTMs.
- To emphasize the need for early diagnosis and intervention for better patient outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Observational study comparing children with and without urinary tract malformations.
- Recording and analysis of pinnal anomaly prevalence in both groups.
- Correlation of external ear morphology with specific urinary tract abnormalities.
Main Results:
- Pinnal anomalies were present in 46% of children with urinary tract malformations, compared to 16% in controls.
- Specific auricle abnormalities like flattened pinna and deformed helix were noted.
- The study identified a significant link between external ear and urinary tract developmental abnormalities.
Conclusions:
- Abnormalities of the auricle warrant investigation for underlying urinary tract malformations.
- Abdominal echography is recommended for children with urinary disorders and atypical ear morphology.
- Concomitant development of external ear and urinary tract during embryogenesis supports these findings.
Abstract:
Pinnal anomalies were observed in 46% of 150 children with urinary tract malformation. This ear feature was only recorded in 16 cases among 100 control children. The observation of abnormalities of the auricle (flattened structure of the pinna, deformed shape of the helix) should thus prompt to investigate a possible urinary tract malformation (vesico-renal reflux, mega-ureter). The identification of this disorder should occur as early as possible in order to perform corrective surgery before irreversible kidney damage. Any urinary disorder associated to atypical morphology of the external ear should lead to abdominal echography. Urinary infections, sometimes mistaken for upper respiratory tract infections, will sometimes provide a diagnostic lead, confirmed by cyto-bacteriological examination of urine. These observations further confirm the concomitant development of the external ear and urinary tract during embryogenesis.