Abstract.
The aim of this study was to report our experience with transperineal ultrasound in studying the urethra, as a complementary technique to contrast-enhanced voiding urosonography (VUS). The VUS was performed in 350 patients (244 males, 106 females) less than 4 years of age, and complemented with perineal US. Ultrasound of the kidneys and bladder was obtained before and during bladder filling and post-voiding. The urethra and the neck of the bladder were evaluated sagittally by transperineal ultrasound (5–7.5 MHz) before, during, and after voiding. Only cases of posterior urethral valves diagnosed at VUS were followed by voiding cystourethrography (VCUG), which was performed on a different day. A satisfactory evaluation of the urethra was obtained in 332 cases (94.86%): (a) normal urethra (n=328); and (b) posterior urethral valves (n=4). In the latter 4 cases there was concordance between results at VUS and VCUG. Eighteen cases (5.14%) were excluded from the study because the quality of the examination was suboptimal. Transperineal US offers an initial imaging modality for studying urethral pathology and thus may complement VUS.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Berrocal T, Gayá F, Arjonilla A et al. (2001) Vesicoureteral reflux: diagnosis and grading with echo-enhanced cystosonography versus voiding cystourethrography. Radiology 221:359–365
Darge K, Ghods S, Zieger B et al. (2001) Reduction in voiding cystourethrographies after the introduction of contrast-enhanced sonographic reflux diagnosis. Pediatr Radiol 31:790–795
Darge K, Troeger J, Duetting T et al. (1999) Reflux in young patients: comparison of voiding US of the bladder and retrovesical space with echo enhancement versus voiding cystourethrography for diagnosis. Radiology 210:201–207
Kenda RB, Novljan G, Kenig A et al. (2000) Echo-enhanced ultrasound voiding cystography in children: a new approach. Pediatr Nephrol 14:297–300
Mentzel HJ, Vogt S, Patzer L et al. (1999) Contrast-enhanced sonography of vesicoureterorenal reflux in children. AJR 173:737–740
Bosio M (1998) Cystosonography with echocontrast: a new imaging modality to detect vesicoureteric reflux in children. Pediatr Radiol 28:250–255
Kenda RB (2001) Imaging techniques for the detection of vesicoureteric reflux: what and when? Nephrol Dial Transplant 16:4–7
O'Hara SM (2001) Vesicoureteral reflux: latest option for evaluation in children. Radiology 221:283–284
Good CD, Vinnicombe SJ, Minty IL et al. (1996) Posterior urethral valves in male infants and newborns: detection with US of urethra before and during voiding. Radiology 198:387–391
Cohen HL, Susman M, O'Haller J et al. (1994) Posterior urethral valve: transperineal US for imaging and diagnosis in male infants. Radiology 192:261–264
Teele RL, Share JC (1997) Transperineal sonography in children. AJR 168:1263–1267
Bates DG, Coley BD (2001) Ultrasound diagnosis of the anterior urethral valve. Pediatr Radiol 31:634–636
Hausegger KA, Fotter R, Sorantin E et al. (1991) Urethral morphology and bladder instability. Pediatr Radiol 21:278–80
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
This paper was presented at the IPR meeting 2001, in Paris.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Maté, A., Bargiela, A., Mosteiro, S. et al. Contrast ultrasound of the urethra in children. Eur Radiol 13, 1534–1537 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-002-1790-7
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-002-1790-7