Significance of Sonographically Demonstrated Ureteral Dilatation in Evaluation of Vesicoureteral Reflux Verified with Voiding Urosonography in Children with Urinary Tract Infection

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to determine sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values of sonographically demonstrated ureteral dilatation in detecting vesicoureteral reflux (VUR). METHODS Ethical approval from the Ethical Committee of Clinical Center University of Sarajevo and parental consent were obtained for this prospective study involving 120 children with history of urinary tract infections (UTIs). Ultrasound examination included the evaluation of the urinary tract, with a special emphasis on evaluation of ureteral dilatation. Voiding urosonography (VUS) was carried out according to a standard protocol with the use of ultrasound contrast agent Sono Vue of second generation. Ureteral diameter greater than 3 mm was considered pathological. Proven VUR was graded into one of three stages. RESULTS Infectio tracti urinarii recidivans was referral diagnosis in the majority of patients. The average age of patients was 4.33 ± 3.88 years (from 2 months to 16 years of age). VUS findings were normal in 59 (49.2%), and pathological in 61 (50.8%) patients. Statistical analysis showed significant correlation between type and grade of VUR. Our data confirmed predominance of VUR in females and in children under the age of 5. Statistically significant correlation between ureteral dilatation and the existence of VUR was found, with relatively high sensitivity (67.2%), specificity (81.4%), and high positive (78.8%) and negative predictive value (70.6%), total diagnostic accuracy of 74.2% in detecting VUR, and significantly increased probability (20 - 25%) of detecting VUR in patients with sonographically confirmed ureteral dilatation. CONCLUSION Sonographically confirmed ureteral dilatation can be used as a predictor of VUR in children with UTIs, and in combination with other predictors, might find a place in an evidence-based selective strategy in children with suspected VUR.