Congenital unilateral hydronephrosis: a review of the impact of diuretic renography on clinical treatment.
OBJECTIVE
The natural history of and optimal treatment for asymptomatic congenital hydronephrosis is unknown, mainly because most published series are nonrandomized or retrospective with nonstandardized followup regimens. In this survey we provide an overview of the different strategies used for the treatment of congenital unilateral hydronephrosis.


METHODS
A comprehensive literature review of clinical studies of asymptomatic congenital unilateral hydronephrosis is presented.


RESULTS
Different criteria for surgical intervention and different followup regimens have been used. Identification of the population at risk has been attempted but results are ambiguous. Surgery is done in approximately 25% of cases when using deteriorating differential function, symptoms and/or increasing hydronephrosis as criteria for operation. A nonstandardized renographic assessment does not compromise evaluation of the ideal followup but it may compromise the functional outcome.


CONCLUSIONS
More studies of kidneys with decreased function, severe hydronephrosis or poor drainage investigated with a standardized protocol are needed to clarify the natural history and establish optimal guidelines for treatment and followup.
Eskild-Jensen
Anni
A
Department of Clinical Physiology and Nuclear Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital-Skejby, Aarhus, Denmark.
Gordon
Isky
I
Piepsz
Amy
A
Frøkiaer
Jørgen
J
D000818:Animals; D004322:Drainage; D006801:Humans; D006869:Hydronephrosis / Q000151:congenital / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D007223:Infant; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis; D011866:Radioisotope Renography