• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.290-298
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• 1992

Although early diagnosis of urinary tract infection is important, the radiologic evaluation is still controversial because of the low sensitivity and the lack of cost-effectiveness. This study was carried out to evaluate the clinical utility of high resolution triple head $^{99m}Tc-DMSA$ SPECT imaging in urinary tract infection. We prospectively performed $^{99m}Tc-DMSA$ planar and SPECT imaging, ultrasound of kidney (US), intravenous pyelography (IVP) and voiding cystourethrography (VCU) in all 60 adult patients with UTI [26 with first episode of acute pyelonephritis (APN), 22 with recurrent APN, and 12 persistent asymptomatic pyuria] and 25 normal persons. To assess reversibility of the renal cortical defect (RCD), $^{99m}Tc-DMSA$ SPECT was repeated 1 to 8 months later in those patients with abnormal initial findings. Overall detection rate of $^{99m}Tc-DMSA$ SPECT imaging was 83% (50/60), but planar, US, IVP and VCU showed abnormal findings in 68%, 28%, 32% and 13%, respectively. 25 out of 27 patients with normal or single RCD were all normal in other radioligic studies. Only two patients showed vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) on VCU (grade I) and mild hydronephrosis on IVP. But, high proportion of those with multiple RCD showed abnormal findings on US (17/33), IVP (18/33), and VCU (7/33): 67% in any of these 3 studies. Especially, 3 out 7 patients with VUR showed multiple RCD on $^{99m}Tc-DMSA$ SPECT without any abnormality on IVP or US. 25 normal persons showed normal findings in all studies except one false positive finding on $^{99m}Tc-DMSA$ SPECT imaging. Follow-up $^{99m}Tc-DMSA$ SPECT was done in 28 patients (13 with single RCD, 15 with multiple RCD). All 13 patients with single RCD showed improvement. Those with multiple RCD presented improvement in 4, no change in 10, and aggravation in 1 on follow-up studies. With these results, we conclude: 1) $^{99m}Tc-DMSA$ SPECT imaging is superior to planar imaging, US, IVP or VCU in detection of renal lesion in urinary tract infection. $^{99m}Tc-DMSA$ SPECT is useful as a initial diagnostic tool in adult patients with urinary tract infection. 2) The multiple RCD on $^{99m}Tc-DMSA$ SPECT represent the high probability of irreversible tissue change and need of extensive urological work-up.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.102-108
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• 2012

Purpose: We investigated the clinical presentation of febrile pediatric patients with acute pyelonephritis (APN) with a mixed urine culture from an aseptic urine sample, and compared with that of those with a single culture. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical charts of 95 patients diagnosed as APN with fever between January 2008 and October 2010 at Korea University Medical Center. We classified the patients with APN into two groups with a positive single culture (S group) and a positive mixed culture (M group) from an aseptic urine sample of suprapubic bladder aspiration or urethral catheterization and compared the fever duration, laboratory markers such as serum white blood cell (WBC) counts and C-reactive protein (CRP) values in peripheral blood, and the presence of hydronephrosis, renal scar and vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) between the two groups (If presence of hydronephrosis, scar and VUR=1 and no=0). Results: Total pediatric patients with febrile APN were 95 patients, a positive S group was 89 patients and a positive M group was 6 patients. Fever duration (S vs. M, $4.7{\pm}3.1$ vs. $6{\pm}5.7$ days), serum WBC (S vs. M, $18,630{\pm}6,483$ vs. $20,153{\pm}7,660/{\mu}L$) and CRP (S vs. M, $100.6{\pm}2.46$ vs. $81.1{\pm}0.09\;mg/L$) values, and the presence of hydronephrosis, renal scar and VUR were not different between the two groups. Conclusion: Our data shows that there were no specific differences of clinical manifestation between a positive single urine culture and a positive mixed urine culture in pediatric APN. A mixed urine culture from an aseptic urine sample should be interpreted cautiously.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.184-194
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• 2010

Purpose : The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of febrile urinary tract infection (UTI) according to clinical characteristics in patients with congenital hydronephrosis (CH) and hydronephrotic patients first diagnosed with hydronephrosis during treatment of febrile UTII. Methods : In this study, 200 patients with congenital hydronephrosis were enrolled in group 1 and 252 patients first diagnosed with hydronephrosis during treatment of febrile UTI were enrolled in group 2. We counted the episodes of UTI in the two groups according to clinical characteristics, the presence of VUR, type of feeding, and clinical outcomes since 2000. And we compared those results between the two groups. and compared two groups as well. Results : The incidence of recurrent UTI was 10%, 0.028 per person-year in group 1 and 16.7%, 0.051 per person-year in group 2, respectively (P <0.05). Group 2 had more VUR (3% vs. 27%, P <0.05) and higher incidence of UTI than group 1. The incidence of UTI in patients with CH of Society of Fetal Urology (SFU) grade 4 or grade 4-5 VUR was 80% and 44.4%, respectively. No significant differences were found in incidence of UTI between BMF (breast milk feeding) and artificial milk feeding group in both groups (P 1=0.274, P 2=0.4). The time of resolution of CH had no correlation with either number of UTI episodes or the presence of VUR. Conclusion : The overall incidence of UTI is low in patients with CH as well as patients patients first diagnosed with hydronephrosis during treatment of febrile UTI except patients with SFU grade 4 or grade 4-5 VUR. BMF has no protective effect against UTI.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.194-201
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• 2008

Purpose : Voiding cystourethrography(VCUG) is required to detect vesicoureteral reflux(VUR), which may manifest as urinary tract infection(UTI) in children. It is well known that VCUG can cause UTI(post-VCUG UTI). In this study, risk factors for post-VCUG UTI and the preventive effect of antibiotics against this complication of VCUG were explored. Methods : Medical records of 284 patients who underwent VCUG at our hospital in 2007 were reviewed retrospectively. The incidence of post-VCUG UTI and risk factors for post-VCUG UTI, and the impact of antibiotic use on prevention of post-VCUG UTI were evaluated. According to antibiotics usage, we divided the enrolled patients into 4 groups of noantibiotics group, prophylactic antibiotics group(prophylactic antibiotics having been used before), antibiotics-for-VCUG group(antibiotics added for VCUG) and antibiotics-for-treatment group(treatment dose of antibiotics). Results : Seven of 284 children(2.5%) developed UTI after they underwent VCUG. Highgrade(grade$\geq$III) VUR was the only statistically significant risk factor(odds ratio[OR] 6.266, P=0.026) for post-VCUG UTI, while sex, age, and other anomalies of urinary system were not significant. Five post-VCUG UTI cases belonged to prophylactic antibiotics group. Antibiotics use (three groups using antibiotics vs. no-antibiotics group) or addition of antibiotics for VCUG (antibiotics-for-VCUG vs. other groups) did not have any effect on prevention of post-VCUG UTI. Conclusion : The risk factor for post-VCUG UTI was high-grade VUR. Antibiotics use did not prevent post-VCUG UTI in this study.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.497-503
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• 1995

We evaluated diagnostic accuracy of diuretic renal scan with standardization in 45 childrens(107 hydronephrotic kidneys) with 91 diuretic assessments. Sensitivity was 100%, specificity was 78%, and accuracy was 84% in 49 hydronephrotic kidneys with standardization. Diuretic renal scan without standardization, sensitivity was 100%, specificity was 38%, and accuracy was 57 % in 58 hydronephrotic kidneys. The false-positive results were observed in 25 cases without standardization, and in 8 cases with standardization. In diuretic renal scans without standardization, the causes of false-positive results were 10 early injection of lasix before mixing of radioactivity in pelvocalyceal system, 4 full bladder, 2 markedly dilated pelvocalyceal systems postpyeloplsty, 6 extrarenal pelvis, and 3 immature kidneys of neonates. In diuretic renal scans with standardization the causes of false-positive results were 2 markedly dilated systems postpyeloplsty, 2 extrarenal pelvis, 1 immature kidney of neonate, and 2 severe venal dysfunction, 1 vesicoureteral reflux. In diuretic renal scan without standardization the false-positive results by inadequate study were common, but false-positive results by inadequate study were not found after standardization. The false-positive results by dilated pelvocalyceal systems postpyeloplsty, extrarenal pelvis, and immature kidneys of neonates were not dissolved after standardization. In conclusion, diagnostic accuracy of diuretic renal scan with standardization was useful in children with renal outflow tract obstruction by improving specificity significantly.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.45 no.10
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• pp.1213-1218
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• 2002

Purpose : Hydronephrosis constitutes a great portion of fetal anomalies screened by prenatal sonogram. The present authors made an attempt to access its natural courses through follow up neonatal hydronephrosis diagnosed by prenatal sonogram. Methods : The study was composed of 23 neonates(36 renal units) who were diagnosed with hydronephrosis through prenatal sonogram screening and confirmed 3-7 days after birth with sonographic evaluation at Kyung Hee University Hospital. The neonates were closely monitored for 12-24 months with renal sonogram, diuretic renogram, intravenous pyelography(IVP) and voiding cystoureterography(VCUG). Results : The underlying diseases were composed of 16 cases(44%) of functional abnormalities, 14 cases(39%) of ureteropelvic junction(UPJ) obstruction, three cases(8%) of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) and on case each of multicystic dysplastic kidney, UPJ obstruction with ureteral stenosis and ureterovesical junction(UVJ) obstruction with VUR. The degree of hydronephrosis was divided into three classes according to its severity. In 30 renal units with UPJ obstruction and functional abnormalities, 26(87%) showed mild hydronephrosis, while four(13%) were moderate. During the follow up period, six cases(20%) showed natural resolution of hydronephrosis, 15 cases(50%) showed improvement while two cases(7%) were aggravated with improvement only after surgery of the underlying disease. The cases which showed natural resolution were all mild hydronephrosis at diagnosis and the cases which underwent surgery due to continuous aggravation were mild one case and moderate one case. Conclusion : Those with cases of mild hydronephrosis show rapid natural improvement. On the other hand, in some cases, follow up monitoring reveal aggravation of the situation, emphasizing the necessity for thorough follow up for a long period of time.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.245-253
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• 2003

Puorpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of $^{99m}Tc$ DMSA scintigraphy on the dignosis of a renal scar in children with urinary tract infections. Materials and Methods: Eighty three patients were included in this study, who were diagnosed as the urinary tract infection on the basis of symptom, urinalysis and urine culture. $^{99m}Tc$ DMSA scintigraphy and voiding cystoureterography were peformed within 7days before the treatment in all patients. We classified the scintigraphic findings as follow s : 1 ; a large hypoactive upper or lower pole. 2 ; a small hypoactive area. 3 ; single defect resulting in localized deformity of the outlines. 4 ; deformed outlines in a small or normal sized kidney. 5 ; multiple defects. 6 ; diffuse hypoactive kidney without regional impairment. Follow-up scintigraphy was done at least 6 months after the initial study. When the abnormality on the initial scintigraphy was not completely resolved on the follow-up scan, the lesion was defined as containing a scar. Results: One hundred and fifteen renal units of 166 units(69.3%) showed abnormal findings on the DMSA scintigraphy. 65 units(56.5%) was diagnosed as containing renal scars on follow-up scintigraphies. Incidences of renal scar among renal units showing pattern 3, 4 and 5 on the initial scan was 75%, 78% and 78%, respectively. Whereas many of renal units showing 1, 2 and 6 pattern were recovered(65%, 76%, 50%). Sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of pattern-based DMSA scintigraphic findings on the diagnosis of renal scar was 76.9%, 85.1% and 81.9%, respectively. VUR was significantly associated with the renal scar when the initial DMSA shows unrecoverable findings(pattern 3, 4, 5). Odds ratio of the renal scar in a kidney showing unrecoverable initial scintigraphic findings was 19.1. Odds ratio in a kidney with mild or moderate-to-severe VUR was 3.5 and 14.4 respectively. Conclusion: In the urinary tract infection, renal scar was significantly developed in a kidney showing unrecoverable findings on the initial DMSA scan and VUR on voiding cystoureterography.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.56-63
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• 2005

Purpose : Development of renal scarring is associated with delayed diagnosis and treatment of urinary tract infection(UTI). This study was performed to clarify how soon treatment should be started to Inhibit renal scarring after onset of UTI and the factors associated with renal scarring in children with a first episode of febrile UTI. Methods : We retrospectively reviewed 163 patients with a first episode of febrile UTI under the age of 2 years from April 2000 to Ap,il 2004. All patients had a DMSA renal scan and voiding cystourethrogram done in the diagnostic period, 6 months after which a follow-up renal scan was done. After patients wet-e divided into 2 groups according to the duration of fever prior to start of treatment, the duration of fever after start of treatment, and total duration of fever, initial and follow-up DMSA scan findings were analyzed among the different groups. We compared the factors associated with renal scars between the groups with and without renal scars. Results : The initial DMSA renal scan identified abnormal finding in 23% of the patients who were treated $\leq$24 hr from the onset of disease and in 43% of those with fever more than 24 hr. Renal scars developed in 33% of patients who were treated $\leq$24 hr and 38% of those with fever >24 hr prior to treatment. Renal scars developed in 34% of patients with remission of fever $\leq$48 hr after treatment and ill 50% of those with fever >48 hr after treatment. The risk for renal scars was significantly higher in children who had total duration of feyer >72 hr(67%) than in those with shorter duration(19%). In children with renal scars, VUR was most highly associated with an increased risk of renal scar formation. Conclusion : Although children with a first episode of febrile UTI are treated within 24 hr after onset of the fever, renal damage cannot be prevented completely and it is mainly associated with VUR. (J Korean Soc Pediatr Nephrol 2005;9:56-63)

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.62-70
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• 2010

Purpose : The voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG) is the investigation of choice in detecting the vesicoureteral reflux in urinary tract infections in children. As it is a potentially distressing and invasive test, most of the parents are so concerned about the child's stress. In this study, we compared the difference of the state of anxiety of parents before and after the VCUG. Methods : We divided 68 parents whose children underwent VCUG into 2 groups; who have given an explanation about VCUG in detail using pictures (group 1) Vs. who have given an oral explanation only (group 2). All the parents submitted the same questionnaire 2 times before and after the VCUG, which consisted of State-Trait-Anxiety-Inventory X-I (STAI-X-I) and visual analog scale (VAS) on the perception of worry, anxiety, confusion and pain. Results : Before VCUG, the perception of pain was higher in group 1 (P<0.05). After VCUG, the anxiety and confusion were significantly higher in group 2 than group 1 (P<0.05). In group 1, STAI-X-I scores, the perception of worry and anxiety were significantly decreased after the VCUG (P<0.05). In group 2, the confusion and pain were increased after VCUG (P<0.05). Conclusion : It showed that doctor's explanation on the procedure in advance may raise the perception of pain and the possibility of refusal by parents. But the STAI-X-I, worry, anxiety after VCUG were significantly decreased in group 1, while the confusion and pain were increased in group 2. Therefore we suggest that prior and sufficient explanation about invasive procedure like VCUG can be helpful in ameliorating the anxiety of the parents.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.42-50
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• 2010

Purpose : The clinical characteristics and associated anomalies in children with solitary kidney (SK) were analyzed retrospectively. Methods : Total 38 children diagnosed to have SK at our hospital between December 1989 and December 2009 were recruited, and the clinical records including imaging studies were retrospectively reviewed. SK was defined as unilateral renal agenesis by imaging studies only, and patients with regression of unilateral dysplastic kidney were excluded. Results : Among total 38 patients, 12 were male. The median age at the diagnosis of SK was 6.5 months (at birth-13 years). SK was detected by prenatal ultrasonography in 14 patients and during work-up for renal or urinary tract diseases in 13 (including urinary tract infection in 7). In 10 patients, SK was detected incidentally. Anomalies in the SK were noted in 17 patients including vesicoureteral reflux in 11. Other anomalies in the genitourinary tract were present in 16 patients, and multi-organ-involving syndromes or chromosomal anomalies were detected in 9. The mean duration of follow-up was 9 years (9 months-20 years). Two patients developed chronic renal failure during follow-up, and the median serum creatinine concentration of the remaining 36 at their last follow-up was 0.6 mg/dL. Conclusion : SK may be isolated and clinically asymptomatic; it is frequently accompanied by other anomalies in genitourinary tract and other organs, some of which can induce progressive renal dysfunction. Early recognition of associated anomalies with SK and regular follow-up is recommended to reduce long-term risk.