title: Ultrasound detection of vesicoureteral reflux in children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We present different ultrasound techniques to detect vesicoureteral reflux in children with special emphasis on voiding urosonography.
  
  
  METHODS
  Urinary tract infection is a common problem in children that may be related to vesicoureteral reflux. Currently there is no consensus on investigations in children after the first urinary tract infection. The least invasive imaging with the smallest radiation burden should be used in children. Ultrasound to detect reflux meets several of these criteria. The development of echo enhancing agents has markedly improved reflux visualization by ultrasound.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We discuss the clinical relevance of voiding urosonography. We reviewed the currently available literature and the results of our studies of this issue. We also describe our endeavors to avoid catheterization and detect vesicoureteral reflux based on various sonomorphological features, ie indirect voiding urosonography and ureteral jet Doppler waveform analysis, to avoid applying any substance into the bladder.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Voiding urosonography is safe and reliable to detect vesicoureteral reflux. When indicated, considerably decreased radiation exposure can be achieved by voiding urosonography instead of established cystography methods. Indirect voiding urosonography and ureteral jet Doppler waveform analysis could be an alternative to invasive voiding cystography, at least in children older than 3 years.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Nephrology and Pediatric Radiology Unit (DK, AK), University Medical Center, Ljubljana, Slovenia. gregor.novljan@mf.uni-lj.si
authors.forename: Gregor
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Novljan
authors.forename: Tanja Kersnik
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Levart
authors.forename: Damjana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kljucevsek
authors.forename: Anton
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kenig
authors.forename: Rajko B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Kenda
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D003287:Contrast Media; D006801:Humans; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014718:Vesico-Ureteral Reflux / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media