US demonstration of pyelitis and ureteritis in children

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Nephrology
• Diagnostic Ultrasound
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common in children.
• Early diagnosis is crucial to prevent renal damage.
• Current diagnostic methods may have limitations in identifying all cases.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify a novel sonographic sign for detecting UTIs in pediatric patients.
• To correlate ultrasonic findings with clinical and radiological data in children with UTIs.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of ultrasound findings in 10 children diagnosed with UTIs.
• Evaluation of renal pelvis and ureteral wall thickness on ultrasound.
• Comparison with intravenous pyelogram findings and presence of vesicoureteral reflux.

Main Results:

• A distinct thickening of the renal pelvis and/or ureteral wall was observed in all 10 children with UTIs.
• This thickening is attributed to inflammatory changes, indicative of pyelitis and ureteritis.
• In two cases, wall thickening was the sole ultrasonic abnormality; in four, it occurred without reflux.

Conclusions:

• Renal and ureteral wall thickening on ultrasound is a significant indicator of UTIs in children.
• This sonographic sign can aid in the diagnosis of pyelitis and ureteritis, even in the absence of reflux.
• The identification of this pattern warrants further uroradiological investigation and timely management.