Cortical transit time as a predictive marker of the need for surgery in children with pelvi-ureteric junction stenosis: Preliminary study

IntroductionPostnatal management of prenatally detected hydronephrosis remains controversial. It has been suggested that cortical transit time (CTT) could successfully predict deterioration in children with pelvi-ureteric junction (PUJ) obstruction. We decided to conduct a retrospective study in our hydronephrosis population to evaluate whether initial CTT was significantly correlated with the need for surgery.Patients and methodWe reviewed the charts of all our patients managed for significant PUJ obstruction (>12 mm) between 2007 and 2010 and determined CTT retrospectively, on the first diuretic scan of each of these patients. We then determined the relationship between initial CTT and the need for surgery.ResultsWe identified 37 patients with hydronephrosis (pelvic size >12 mm) of which 26 were diagnosed prenatally. Out of 22 patients with an initial abnormal CTT, 20 underwent surgery. Out of 15 children with a normal initial CTT, 4 underwent surgery (OR 27.5 (IC95%: 4.3–174.9)).ConclusionInitial CTT could be a reliable prognostic factor for future evolution of renal function in children with hydronephrosis. CTT is easy to determine on diuretic renal scan. A prospective trial is being devised to confirm what role it could have in the management of children with hydronephrosis.