[Imaging in pediatric urology]

Abstract

Background: For many years, sonography and the intravenous pyelogram (IVP) were the most important examination methods for the evaluation of the urinary tract in children. Both methods have their pros and cons: sonography provides ideal visualization of normal kidneys and the evaluation of the pelvicalyceal system. For detection or exclusion of renal scarring, however, this method is not well suited. It provides no information regarding kidney function.

Methods: With an IVP, it is possible to evaluate urinary excretion and, thus, indirectly assess kidney function. As this examination method involves radiation exposure and the necessity of a contrast agent, it should be avoided in the examination of children. The CT is an excellent examination method that can diagnose nearly all urological diseases in children or answer urological questions; however, a CT scan applies the highest radiation dose of all discussed methods. For this reason, examination via MRI is of increasing importance in uroradiology. Initially only the T2 sequences for the visualization of the urinary tract in children were applied.

Conclusion: The current technical developments as well as the use of the contrast agent gadolinium and the antidiuretic agent furosemide allow an all-in-one evaluation of the kidneys and urinary tract.