How do you treat vesicoureteral reflux?
How do you treat vesicoureteral reflux?
How is secondary vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) treated?
- Surgery to remove a blockage or correct an abnormal bladder or ureter.
- Antibiotics to prevent or treat a UTI.
- Intermittent catheterization (draining the bladder of urine by inserting a thin tube, called a catheter, through the urethra to the bladder).
What causes vesicoureteral reflux?
The cause of this form of reflux is most often from failure of the bladder to empty properly, either due to a blockage or failure of the bladder muscle or damage to the nerves that control normal bladder emptying.
Can VUR be cured?
Doctors can use surgery to correct your child’s reflux and prevent urine from flowing back to the kidney. In certain cases, treatment may include the use of bulking injections. Doctors inject a small amount of gel-like liquid into the bladder wall near the opening of the ureter.
How do you test for urinary reflux?
Reflux is found with a test called a voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG), which is an X-ray of the bladder. It takes about 15 to 20 minutes, and involves: Placing a catheter (a thin plastic tube) in the urethra. Injecting fluid with an X-ray dye through the tube until the bladder is full.
Is VUR rare?
How common is vesicoureteral reflux? VUR is a condition that affects about 1 to 3 percent of all children. However, there are certain groups of children in whom VUR is much more common, including: children who have hydronephrosis or excessive fluid in the kidneys.
Can urine go back into kidney?
Each ureter has a one-way valve where it enters the bladder that prevents urine from flowing back up the ureter. But in some people, urine flows back up to the kidney. This is called vesicoureteral reflux. Over time, the kidneys may be damaged or scarred by this reflux.
How do you test for vesicoureteral reflux?
Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) can only be diagnosed by a test called a cystogram, in which a catheter is placed through the urethra into the bladder, and the bladder is filled with fluid. This procedure allows doctors to see the reverse flow of urine toward the kidney.
How common is vesicoureteral reflux?
How is voiding cystourethrogram used to diagnose VUR?
Testing and diagnosis Voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG) is used to confirm the diagnosis of VUR. During a VCUG a thin plastic tube, called a catheter, is inserted into the urethra (opening where urine comes out). The bladder is filled with a solution called contrast.
What is the primary diagnostic procedure for vesicoureteric reflux?
The primary diagnostic procedure for evaluation of vesicoureteric reflux is a voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG), which however requires bladder catheterization and distention of the bladder. This can cause discomfort to the patient but is usually well tolerated if patients are carefully selected and families counseled prior to the study.
What causes vesicoureteral reflux in children?
Vesicoureteral Reflux (VUR) Children with bladder and bowel dysfunction may be more likely to have vesicoureteral reflux. Vesicoureteral reflux can occur in children with other urinary tract abnormalities such as posterior urethral valves, ureterocele, ureteral duplication, or bladder exstrophy.
Can vesicoureteral reflux resolve on its own?
Vesicoureteral reflux can resolve on its own. Therefore we conservatively manage patients with close follow-up to see if they can outgrow the vesicoureteral reflux on their own. Patients will typically have a cystogram (VCUG or RNC) every 1-2 years to check for vesicoureteral reflux resolution.
