Reflux nephropathy

Vesicoureteral reflux may be associated with abnormalities of the renal parenchyma. The purpose of this review is to define what the parenchymal abnormalities are histologically, what their etiologies may be, how they are identified and what their long-term clinical impact may be. Two categories are recognized, renal dysplasia and post-infection, chronic pyelonephritis. The diagnostic gold standard is microscopic evaluation of biopsy specimens but renal scintigraphy can be used in the diagnosis of renal dysplasia versus chronic pyelonephritis. Potential long-term sequelae of reflux nephropathy include hypertension and renal insufficiency although these may occur infrequently. A review of the current literature is provided.