COMPARSION OF IMAGING STUDIES FOR FOLLOW- UP .

Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) is a common and potentially serious source of morbidity in infants and children. Early diagnosis and treatment of UTI in risk cases are essential to minimized morbidity. This study aims to compare the imaging studies for the follow-up of UTI in children.

Materials & Methods:�During the period of 18 month's from May 2003 to October 2004, children older than 3 years and younger than 15 years presenting the recurrent UTI were investigated. For all children with recurrent UTI follow-up urine analysis, urine culture, ultrasonography, renal cortical 99 mTC dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) scanning, voiding cystourethrography (VCUG) were performed.

Results: A Total of 58 children, 84% females and 16% males were included in the study, the mean age was 5.8 ± 2.9 years (range 3 to 15 years) of 58 children. DMSA abnormality was 71%, VCUG revealed 29% vesicouretral reflux (VUR). Renal USG revealed 24% kidney abnormality and (41.7%) bladder abnormality.

Conclusion: In the pervious studies, VUR identified as a risk factor for the development of UTI was present in 18% to 40% of children. In this study, VCUG revealed VUR in 29% of the children, but DMSA scan encloses significant renal damage in 71% of children with recurrent UTI. Therefore, DMSA scanning should not be limited for presence of VUR, and renal USG, VCUG and DMSA scanning should be the minimum imaging study for evolution of recurrent UTI in children.