Ureteral or vesical involvement in Henoch-Schönlein syndrome: a systematic review of the literature.
BACKGROUND
Little information is available on ureteral or vesical involvement in Henoch-Schönlein syndrome. To determine the features of this condition we performed a formal analysis of peer-reviewed scientific literature on this topic.


METHODS
The US National Library of Medicine database was used as the data source. All articles published as full-length articles or letters were collected. Reports published in languages other than English, French, German, Italian or Spanish were not considered.


RESULTS
We analyzed 32 reports describing 35 cases (24 male and 11 female subjects aged between 3.5 and 63, median 7.0 years) with ureteral (n = 30), vesical (n = 4), or both ureteral and vesical involvement (n = 1). The presentation included colicky abdominal pain, macroscopic hematuria (sometimes containing blood clots), urinary tract infection or urinary retention. The diagnosis of ureteral involvement was often fortuitous. Patients with vesical involvement were managed conservatively. However, the majority of those with ureteral involvement were managed surgically.


CONCLUSIONS
Ureteral or vesical involvement is unusual and likely underappreciated in Henoch-Schönlein syndrome. Improved recognition and wider appreciation of this involvement can help to avoid associated morbidity. Management must be individualized for each patient. A multidisciplinary approach may be of value in planning medical treatment, surgical intervention, and follow-up.
Department of Pediatrics, Mendrisio and Bellinzona Hospitals, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
Giordano M
GM
Siegenthaler
Mattia
M
Rizzi
Alberto
A
Bettinelli
Giacomo D
GD
Simonetti
Alessandra
A
Ferrarini
Mario G
MG
Bianchetti
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011695:IgA Vasculitis / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013577:Syndrome; D014515:Ureteral Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D001745:Urinary Bladder Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D055815:Young Adult