Clinical and radiologic aspects of vesicoureteral reflux in children

The findings of 300 cases of vesicoureteral reflux are reported. Girls were affected 3 times more frequently than boys. The reflux was unilateral in 61% with a strong preponderance of the left ureter. Two hundred and seven children presented with a so-called complete reflux, the contrast material being dected in the ureter and in the pelvicalyceal system at the same time. Almost one third of the children exhibited some changes of the pelvicalyceal system and every 4th patient had serious changes in the upper urinary tract and kidneys. According to the severity of the changes in the ureter, the pelvicalyceal system, and the kidney tissue, 4 types of reflux are differentiated. Typed 1 and 2 were treated successfully with conservative therapy alone, while types 3 and 4 responded only to surgical correction. In 61 cases followed closely for at least 8 months, 28 cases were cured.