Prenatal detection of primary non-refluxing megaureter. Review of our casuistics

• Published in: Anales de pediatría (Barcelona, Spain : 2003) Spain : 2003), 2007-08, Vol.67 (2), p.123-132
• Main Authors: Areses Trapote, R, Urbieta Garagorri, M A, Ubetagoyena Arrieta, M, Alzueta Beneite, M T, Arruebarrena Lizarraga, D, Eizaguirre Sexmilo, I, Rodríguez Mazorriaga, F, Emparanza Knorr, J I
• Format: Article
• Language: Spanish
• Subjects: Child; Child, Preschool; Data Interpretation, Statistical; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Kidney Function Tests; Male; Radioisotope Renography; Radiopharmaceuticals; Retrospective Studies; Technetium Tc 99m Dimercaptosuccinic Acid; Time Factors; Ultrasonography, Prenatal; Ureter - abnormalities; Ureter - diagnostic imaging; Ureter - surgery; Ureteral Obstruction - diagnosis
• ISSN: 1695-4033

Most primary non-refluxing megaureters resolve spontaneously and the indications for surgery are not sufficiently well established. To analyze the clinical features, treatment and outcome of asymptomatic primary non-refluxing megaureter. We retrospectively studied 58 infants with primary non-refluxing megaureter. The diagnostic methods used were renal ultrasound, renal isotopic renogram, DMSA scan, and evaluation of renal function. The mean age at postnatal diagnosis was 24 days. The mean follow-up was 4 years. Sixty-nine percent of the patients were male. Fifty-seven percent were left megaureters and 22% were bilateral (71 affected renal units). Eleven percent of megaureters were grade I, 48% were grade II, and 41% were grade III. Only nine patients (15%) received surgical treatment. The indications for surgical treatment were severe megaureter (3/9 patients; 33%), prolonged T1/2 (3/9 patients; 33%), reduced function (1/9 patients; 11%), prolonged T1/2 plus reduced function (1/9 patients; 11%) and increased dilation (1/9 patients; 11%). The mean age at surgery was 7 months. Outcomes in the non-surgical group (85% of the patients; 60 renal units) were as follows: 90% of megaureters were corrected or improved on ultrasound scan and 10% showed no change. In the first renogram, function was low in 4/60 kidneys (7%) and T1/2 was prolonged in 3/60 (5%). Finally, all kidneys in the non-surgical group had normal function, except one, which was injured from the beginning. T1/2 was normal in all kidneys. Outcomes in the surgical group (10 megaureters) were as follows: 80% of megaureters were corrected or improved after surgical intervention and 20% showed no change. At diagnosis, 4/10 kidneys (40%) had reduced function. In the post-surgical renogram 2/10 kidneys (20%) continued to show reduced function, 1/10 kidney (10%) showed restored renal function, and 1/10 kidney (10%) was nephrectomized. Initial T1/2 was prolonged in 4/10 patients (40%), and after surgery T1/2 was normal in all patients. The final DMSA scan showed 5/71 kidneys (7%) with irreversible damage (one slightly injured, two moderately injured, and three severely injured). The remaining 66 kidneys were normal. Overall renal function and blood pressure were normal in all patients. Primary non-refluxing megaureter is usually a functional and benign congenital malformation that resolves during the first months of life. Although the malformation can persist, only a few patients require surgical treatment.