Impact of contrast medium temperature on bladder capacity and cystographic diagnosis of vesicoureteral reflux in children

Abstract

To assess the influence of temperature of contrast medium used in voiding cystourethrography (VCUG) on the estimation of bladder capacity and detection of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR), 250 consecutive children (aged from birth to 13.5 years) undergoing VCUG were randomized to receive room temperature (n = 133) or body temperature (n = 117) contrast medium. Bladder capacity (ie, volume infused) was measured, and bladder volume index (BVI) was calculated by dividing the measured capacity by the predicted capacity. Contrast medium temperature did not affect either bladder capacity (warm: mean capacity, 210.8 mL; cold: mean capacity, 212.6 mL) or BVI (warm: mean BVI, 1.15; cold: mean BVI, 1.10). Although boys had smaller capacities than girls, neither capacity nor BVI was significantly (P > .05) affected by contrast medium temperature in either sex. VUR was detected in 42 (35.9%) of 117 children studied with warmed contrast medium and in 42 (31.6%) of 133 studied with room temperature medium. Prevalence of VUR was unaffected by contrast medium temperature in children with previously diagnosed VUR and in those studied for the first time.