title: Establishing a standard protocol for the voiding cystourethrography.
abstract: The voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG) is a frequently performed test to diagnose a variety of urologic conditions, such as vesicoureteral reflux (VUR). The test results determine whether continued observation or an interventional procedure is indicated. VCUGs are ordered by many specialists and primary care providers, including pediatricians, family practitioners, nephrologists, hospitalists, emergency room physicians, and urologists. Current protocols for performing and interpreting a VCUG are based on the International Reflux Study in 1985. However, more recent information provided by many national and international institutions suggests a need to refine those recommendations. The lead author of the 1985 study, R.L. Lebowitz, agreed to and participated in the current protocol. In addition, a recent survey directed to the chairpersons of pediatric radiology of 65 children's hospitals throughout the United States and Canada showed that VCUG protocols vary substantially. Recent guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommend a VCUG for children between 2 and 24 months of age with urinary tract infections but did not specify how this test should be performed. To improve patient safety and to standardize the data obtained when a VCUG is performed, the AAP Section on Radiology and the AAP Section on Urology initiated the current VCUG protocol to create a consensus on how to perform this test.
authors.affiliation: American Academy of Pediatrics, USA.
authors.forename: Dominic
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Frimberger
authors.affiliation: American Academy of Pediatrics, USA.
authors.forename: Stuart B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Bauer
authors.affiliation: American Academy of Pediatrics, USA.
authors.forename: Mark P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Cain
authors.affiliation: American Academy of Pediatrics, USA.
authors.forename: Saul P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Greenfield
authors.affiliation: American Academy of Pediatrics, USA.
authors.forename: Andrew J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Kirsch
authors.affiliation: American Academy of Pediatrics, USA.
authors.forename: Faridali
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ramji
authors.affiliation: American Academy of Pediatrics, USA.
authors.forename: Maria-Gisela
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Mercado-Deane
authors.affiliation: American Academy of Pediatrics, USA.
authors.forename: Christoper S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Cooper
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D006801:Humans; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D014521:Urethra / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014554:Urination; D014567:Urography / Q000592:standards*; D014718:Vesico-Ureteral Reflux / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology
keywords: Patient safety; Standard protocol; Vesicoureteral reflux; Voiding cystourethrography