Transitional neonatal hydronephrosis: fact or fantasy?

Hydronephrosis secondary to an anomalous ureteropelvic junction was detected antenatally in more than 60 neonatal renal units Those 21 units that exhibited partial obstruction or dilatation without obstruction were selected for this study. They were assessed and followed by serial diuretic isotope renography (99mtechnetium-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid augmented with furosemide) and ultrasonography. Excretory urography was used selectively. Of the 17 renal units that could be assessed 88 per cent demonstrated labile ureteropelvic junctions. Indeed, in 3 to 6 months, when the definitive status seemed to be attained, 41 per cent (7 units) had deteriorated, 12 per cent (2 units) remained stable and 47 per cent (8 units) underwent spontaneous improvement. We recommend a 3 to 6-month observation period for patients with hydronephrosis secondary to ureteropelvic junction anomalies when definite obstruction cannot be confirmed by isotope renography.