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Sonographic finding of persistent renal pelvic wall thickening in children

Nai-Chia Fan1, You-Lin Tain1

  • 1Division of Pediatric Nephrology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

Pediatrics and Neonatology
|December 31, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Renal pelvic wall thickening (RPWT) is common in children. Persistent RPWT strongly correlates with vesicoureteral reflux (VUR), especially high-grade VUR, warranting further uroradiological investigation.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Nephrology
  • Diagnostic Imaging
  • Urology

Background:

  • Renal pelvic wall thickening (RPWT) is a recognized sonographic finding.
  • RPWT is often linked to urinary tract infections (UTIs) and other genitourinary abnormalities.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of RPWT in children and adolescents.
  • To investigate the association between persistent RPWT and vesicoureteral reflux (VUR).

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of renal ultrasound studies from January 2010 to December 2011.
  • Inclusion of 502 patients with RPWT, with follow-up sonograms for 372.
  • Analysis of 86 children who underwent both follow-up sonograms and voiding cystourethrography (VCUG).

Main Results:

  • RPWT was identified in 11.4% of studies (602/502).
  • Resolution of RPWT was observed in 93.7% of renal units and 92.7% of patients.
  • Persistent RPWT showed a significant association with VUR occurrence (p=0.018) and high VUR grade (p=0.006).

Conclusions:

  • RPWT is a frequent sonographic finding in pediatric patients.
  • Persistent RPWT is a strong indicator of VUR, particularly high-grade VUR.
  • Recommend complementary uroradiological studies for persistent RPWT in children and adolescents.
Abstract

Keywords:
renal pelvic wall thickeningultrasoundvesicoureteral refluxvoiding cystourethrography

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