Intravenous Urography in Paediatric and Adolescent Practice.

Abstract

Summary: A prospective study of intra venous urography was undertaken over a period of 30 months in 640 children and adolescents aged between one week and 16 years. The purpose of the study was to (a) examine the extent of utilization of the procedure in the University College Hospital, Ibadan, (b) assess the prevalence of abnormal findings, using this procedure and (c) make suggestions on the proper utilization of the procedure. The procedure was of great value in the evaluation of patients with abdominal masses, obstructive uropathy and hypertension. It revealed significant abnormal findings in 73%,79% and 69% respectively, of the patients with these three conditions. In patients with haematuria and recurrent urinary tract infection, significant abnormal findings were revealed in 32% and 21% respectively. The routine use of the procedure in all these conditions seems justified. By contrast, routine use of the procedure is totally unjustified in patients with cryptorchidism, hypospadias, enuresis and non specified abdominal pains. These conditions constituted about 30% of the patients in the series, but only about 7% of abnormal findings were revealed by the procedure in this group of patients.