Cystic kidneys, renal dysplasia and microdissection data in 5 children with congenital valvular urethral obstruction.

A survey of the findings in 5 children with urethral obstruction due to valves is presented. The microdissection data found in the 7 kidneys of this series were compared. The microdissection findings in all 7 kidneys are mostly the same with a continuum of processes ranging from relatively mild to severe derangements. We could not find two varieties of renal change designated type II or IV by potter. The characterization of the lesions by nephron dissection always approached those of the type II (multicystic, dysplastic kidney). Renal dysplasia was associated with extrarenal malformations in 2 of our cases and we therefore believe that the significance of the dysplasia lies rather in the period of the insult during organogenesis than in the obstruction.