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Introduction: Prostatic utricles (PUs) are the remnants of Mullerian ducts found in the male posterior urethra. Enlarged symptomatic utricles are known to be associated with hypospadias. There is a dearth of literature defining an enlarged utricle and also its clinical significance. Aims: The aim of this study was to describe anatomical difference of PUs of cases with severe hypospadias and also to find their clinical significance if any. Materials and Methods: A prospective study was carried out, and all patients with proximal hypospadias were enrolled. Cystoscopy was performed in all cases. Symptomatology, size, and location of PU were recorded. PU of >0.5 cm was considered enlarged. Results: In the present series, a total of 70 cases were included over a period of 2 years. Enlarged utricle was found in 47/70 (67.14%) on cystoscopy. They were wide-mouthed and negotiated 9 Fr/11 Fr cystoscope with ease. Recurrent epididymo-orchitis, recurrent urinary tract infection, and obstructive features were the most common complications requiring intervention. Conclusions: PUs in boys with hypospadias are enlarged as well as wide-mouthed. Most of these remain asymptomatic, but few of them carry the potential of complications. Cystoscopy helps in direct visualization of utricular anatomy, so it should be a preferred investigating modality for investigating a PU.

PurposeTo assess the diagnostic accuracy and safety of contrast-enhanced voiding urosonogram using second-generation contrast with harmonic imaging (CEVUS-HI) in detecting vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) among children.MethodsA systematic literature search was performed in March 2018. Relevant comparative studies from Medline, EMBASE, World of Science, Scopus, CENTRAL, WHO trial registry and Clinicaltrials.gov were identified and appraised using QUADAS-2. Diagnostic accuracy parameters were determined using VCUG as the reference standard. Adverse effects related to ultrasound contrast were summarized. The heterogeneity and inter-study variability were determined. After appropriate subgroup diagnostic accuracy parameters were investigated, summarizing receiver operator characteristics was constructed using the bivariate model meta-regression to determine the area under the curve (AUC).ResultsA total of 12 studies with low–high risk of bias, including 1917 ureteral units from 953 patients were assessed for this meta-analysis. The included studies reported no serious adverse events associated with the ultrasound contrast. The pooled diagnostic accuracy parameters of CEVUS-HI in detecting VUR amongst children were: sensitivity 90.43 (95% CI 90.36–90.50), specificity 92.82 (95% CI 92.76–92.87), the calculated (+) likelihood-ratio 12.59 (95% CI 12.49–12.68), (−) likelihood-ratio of 0.103 (95% CI 0.102–0.104) and extrapolated pooled diagnostic odds-ratio was 122.12 (95% CI 120.75–123.49). Heterogeneity with interstudy variability was noted (p < 0.0001, I-squared > 70%). The AUC was determined to be 0.965 for VUR detection.ConclusionsThe pooled diagnostic accuracy parameters from low–moderate quality of evidence have illustrated that the CEVUS-HI study has an excellent safety profile and acceptable diagnostic accuracy. It may be considered as an alternative diagnostic modality for assessment of VUR among children.

Voiding cystourethrography (VCUG) is a widely accepted radiographic imaging technique that has been traditionally used for identifying vesicoureteral reflux in children. Given the simultaneous evaluation of the lower urinary tract that is afforded by VCUG, many common and uncommon abnormalities of the ureters, bladder and urethra can also be elucidated. Knowledge of the appearance of these urological entities may facilitate their proper identification.

Bladder prolapse through a patent urachus is rare. We present a newborn with an unusual exophytic, erythematous umbilical mass. Voiding cystography readily demonstrated continuity of the bladder dome with the umbilical mass, confirming bladder prolapse through a patent urachus. The diagnosis of bladder prolapse was rapidly made in a second newborn with similar imaging and clinical findings and confirmed by cystography. We discuss the embryology of this condition including the association with a vesico-allantoic cyst in utero. Pre- and postnatal images are presented. The use of cystography in diagnosis is emphasized.

Severe (grades IV and V) vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) is a risk factor for acute pyelonephritis, renal scars, and renal failure. This study evaluates albumin and N-acetylglucosaminidase (NAG) urinary excretion, and renal concentrating ability as screening tools to select patients for voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG). Children (111 M, 52 F) aged 10.97 ± 21.17 months (mean + SD), diagnosed with UTI, and who had undergone renal ultrasound and a VCUG, underwent a desmopressin test and had albumin/creatinine and NAG/creatinine urinary excretion measured. Urine osmolality was significantly lower in 27 children with severe VUR (375.3 ± 171.8 mOsm/kg; mean + SD) compared to 100 patients with normal VCUG (611.5 ± 175.8 mOsm/kg), p < 0.001, and to 36 patients with VUR grades I to III (636.2 ± 180.2 mOsm/kg), p < 0.001. NAG/creatinine ratio was significantly elevated in 20 children with severe VUR (26.4 (28.3) U/g); median and interquartile range compared to 67 children with normal VCUG (10.8 (17.9) U/g), p = 0.003, and to 20 patients with VUR grades I to III (7.6 (21.1) U/g), p = 0.009.Conclusions: Urinary osmolality is significantly decreased and urinary excretion of NAG is significantly increased in patients with severe VUR. These tests could select patients for VCUG to assess for severe VUR.What is Known:• Severe vesicoureteral reflux (SVUR) may contribute to renal damage. Severe vesicoureteral reflux is diagnosed by voiding cystourethrogram and represents about 10% of all patients with VUR. Currently, there are no reliable tests used prior to VCUG to help on the decision of obtaining a VCUG to diagnose SVUR.What is New:• This study shows that renal tubular markers (concentrating ability and N-acetylglucosaminidase (NAG) excretion) are useful tests prior to voiding cystourethrogram to screen for severe vesicoureteral reflux.• This study suggests the use of renal concentrating ability and urinary N-acetylglucosaminidase (NAG) excretion to screen for severe vesicoureteral reflux before requesting a voiding cystourethrogram.

Background Surgical safety during posterior sagittal anorectal plasty (PSARP) for anorectal malformations (ARM) depends on accurate pre-operative fistula localization. This study aimed to evaluate accuracy of pre-operative fistula diagnostics. Methods Ethical approval was obtained. Diagnostic accuracy of pre-PSARP symptoms (stool in urine, urine in passive ostomy, urinary tract infection) and examination modalities (voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG), high-pressure colostogram, cystoscopy and ostomy endoscopy) were compared to final intra-operative ARM-type classification in all male neonates born with ARM without a perineal fistula treated at a tertiary pediatric surgery center during 2001–2020. Results The 38 included neonates underwent reconstruction surgery through PSARP with diverted ostomy. Thirty-one (82%) had a recto-urinary tract fistula and seven (18%) no fistula. Ostomy endoscopy yielded the highest diagnostic accuracy for fistula presence (22 correctly classified/24 examined cases; 92%), and pre-operative symptoms the lowest (21/38; 55%). For pre-operative fistula level determination, cystoscopy yielded the highest diagnostic accuracy (14/20; 70%), followed by colostogram (23/35; 66%), and VCUG (21/36; 58%). No modality proved to be statistically superior to any other. Conclusions Ostomy endoscopy has the highest diagnostic accuracy for fistula presence, and cystoscopy and high-pressure colostogram for fistula level determination. Correct pre-operative ARM-typing reached a maximum of 60–70%.

Abstract Antenatal hydronephrosis (ANH) is the most common pathology during fetal life. It was shown that ANH mostly resolves spontaneously; unresolved cases can be managed effectively by means of close follow-up. However, unfortunately the number of fetuses with ANH recommended for abortion is not rare in our country. Hydronephrosis does not always mean obstruction. It is the clinician’s responsibility to correctly determine in whom obstruction is present and when obstruction will eventually lead to renal damage. Prenatal intervention is experimental in cases with ANH. Therefore postnatal close follow-up of these cases is vital. The most important goal of postnatal follow-up is to select the patients who would benefit from early surgical intervention. This review was undertaken to discuss the issues in diagnostic evaluation of neonates with antenatal hydronephrosis.

Abstract Antenatal hydronephrosis (ANH) is the most common pathology during fetal life. It was shown that ANH mostly resolves spontaneously; unresolved cases can be managed effectively by means of close follow-up. However, unfortunately the number of fetuses with ANH recommended for abortion is not rare in our country. Hydronephrosis does not always mean obstruction. It is the clinician’s responsibility to correctly determine in whom obstruction is present and when obstruction will eventually lead to renal damage. Prenatal intervention is experimental in cases with ANH. Therefore postnatal close follow-up of these cases is vital. The most important goal of postnatal follow-up is to select the patients who would benefit from early surgical intervention. This review was undertaken to discuss the issues in diagnostic evaluation of neonates with antenatal hydronephrosis.

BackgroundA portable radiographic system capable of fluoroscopic imaging in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) potentially benefits critically ill neonates by eliminating the need to transport them to a fluoroscopy suite.ObjectiveTo evaluate whether a portable bedside fluoroscopy system in the NICU can deliver comparable image quality at a similar dose rate to a standard system in a fluoroscopy suite.Materials and methodsIn phase A, 20 patients <3 years of age and scheduled to undergo upper gastrointestinal series (upper GI) or voiding cystourethrograms (VCUG) in the radiology fluoroscopy suite were recruited to evaluate a portable fluoroscopic unit. A modified portable radiographic system with a cassette-sized detector and an in-room fluoroscopy system were sequentially used in the same examination. Four radiologists compared the image quality of 20 images from each system using the Radlex score (1–4) for five image quality attributes. The radiation dose rates for the portable and in-suite systems were collected. In phase B, fluoroscopy studies were performed in 5 neonates in the NICU and compared to the 20 previous neonatal studies performed in the department. Clinical workflow, examination time, fluoroscopy time, scattered radiation dose and patient radiation dose were evaluated.ResultsIn phase A, average dose rates for in-room and portable systems were equivalent, (0.322 mGy/min and 0.320 mGy/min, respectively). Reader-averaged Radlex scores for in-room and portable systems were statistically significantly greater (P<0.05) for all attributes on the portable system except for image contrast. In phase B, scattered radiation from the average fluoroscopy time (26 s) was equivalent to the scattered radiation of 2.6 portable neonatal chest radiographs. Procedure time and diagnostic quality were deemed equivalent. The average dose rate in the NICU with the portable system was 0.21 mGy/min compared to 0.29 mGy/min for the in-room system.ConclusionThe portable fluoroscopy unit is capable of providing comparable image quality at equivalent dose levels to an in-room system for neonates with minimal risks to the staff and other patients in the NICU.

BackgroundBladder volume at the onset of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) is an important prognostic indicator of spontaneous resolution and the risk of pyelonephritis.ObjectiveWe aim to determine whether pediatric urologists and pediatric radiologists can accurately estimate the timing of reflux by examining voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG) images without prior knowledge of the instilled contrast volume.Materials and methodsTotal bladder volume and the volume at the time of reflux were collected from VCUG reports to determine the volume at the onset of VUR. Thirty-nine patients were sorted into three groups: early-/mid-filling reflux, late-filling and voiding only. Thirty-nine images were shown to three pediatric urologists and two pediatric radiologists in a blinded fashion and they were then asked to estimate VUR timing based on the above categories. A weighted kappa statistic was calculated to assess rater agreement with the gold standard volume-based report of VUR timing.ResultsThe mean patient age at VCUG was 3.1±2.9 months, the median VUR was grade 3, and 20 patients were female. Overall agreement among all five raters was moderate (k=0.43, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.36–0.50). Individual agreement between rater and gold standard was slight to moderate with kappa values ranging from 0.13 to 0.43.ConclusionPediatric radiologists and urologists are unable to accurately and reliably characterize VUR timing on fluoroscopic VCUG. These findings support the recently published American Academy of Pediatrics protocol recommending the routine recording of bladder volume at the onset of VUR as a standard component of all VCUGs to assist in a more accurate assessment of the likelihood of resolution and risk of recurrent urinary tract infections.