[Ultrasound diagnosis of nephrologic and urologic diseases in pediatrics. Report on 1000 patients].

Urological conditions of infancy and childhood account for the largest single disease group requiring either surgical or medical intervention. This makes early detection and classification of abnormalities mandatory. This study presents an analysis of the results of ultrasonic screening in 1000 patients. Ultrasonic examination was readily instituted even in children with uncharacteristic symptoms for the early detection of abnormalities. Most cases of kidney and upper urinary tract abnormalities were diagnosable by ultrasound examination alone, whereby the characteristic pathoanatomical pattern of the lesion was seen. Lower urinary tract abnormalities were also detected with high accuracy. However, in most patients radiographic investigations were necessary for further classification. Sonography was also of great value in the initial investigation of acute renal failure; in patients with non-specific clinical and laboratory findings ultrasonography often presented the key to the diagnosis. Ultrasound also proved extremely useful in the follow up of patients with kidney and urinary tract disease. Based on the ultrasonic examination of 1000 patients it is shown that sonography is a most helpful and reliable method for the diagnosis or exclusion of kidney and/or urinary tract disease in paediatric patients of any age.