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Voiding urosonography including urethrosonography: high-quality examinations with an optimised procedure using a second-generation US contrast agent

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Abstract

Background

Voiding urosonography (VUS) is established as a technique for detecting vesicoureteral reflux in children.

Objective

To evaluate the quality of images of the entire urinary tract when using a second-generation US contrast agent and a modified VUS technique.

Materials and methods

We evaluated 307 VUS examinations performed using SonoVue® in 591 pelvi-ureter units in 295 children of mean age, 27.1 (S.D., 42.5) months, with 154 (50.2%) of the examinations performed in boys; 58 children also underwent VUS using Levovist®. Three criteria were used for quality assessment of the bladder image: (1) progressive incorporation of contrast material in the bladder, (2) homogeneous bladder-filling to maximum capacity, and (3) visualisation of the posterior bladder wall.

Results

Criterion 1 was fulfilled in 305 (99.3%), criterion 2 in 304 (99%) and criterion 3 in 304 (99%) studies. In children who underwent VUS with both contrast agents, the concordance between the two techniques was moderate for findings in the bladder (Cohen K = 0.487; P < 0001) and perfect for findings in the male urethra.

Conclusion

By a modified technique we obtained high-quality images of the bladder with the second-generation contrast agent.

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Acknowledgements

Special thanks to Inés Artacho, Antoni Malet Munte MD, Eva Castañer MD, John Giba, and Joan Carles Oliva.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, UDIAT-Centre Diagnòstic, Institut Universitari Parc Taulí-UAB, Parc Taulí s/n, Sabadell, 08208, Barcelona, Spain

    Carmina Duran, Javier del Riego, Luis Riera, Cesar Martin, Carlos Serrano & Pau Palaña

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  1. Carmina Duran
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  2. Javier del Riego
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  3. Luis Riera
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  4. Cesar Martin
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  5. Carlos Serrano
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  6. Pau Palaña
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Carmina Duran.

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Duran, C., del Riego, J., Riera, L. et al. Voiding urosonography including urethrosonography: high-quality examinations with an optimised procedure using a second-generation US contrast agent. Pediatr Radiol 42, 660–667 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-012-2360-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-012-2360-z

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