Observations of ureteral jets in normal second-and third-trimester pregnancy with color Doppler sonography

Objective:To understand whether ureteral urodynamic changes accompanying normal second-and third-trimester pregnancy altered the pattern of ureteral jets.Methods:Ureteral jets were observed with color Doppler sonography for five minutes in 32 women during the second or third trimester of pregnancy and in 11 non-pregnant controls.Result:A mean of 5.9 jets／minute were detected in the pregnant subjects.The mean percentage difference in frequency of jets between the right and left sides was 49％.A mean of 7.3 jets／minute were detected and the mean percentage difference was 13％for controls.The two groups were significantly different in jet symmetry(P0.05).Unilateral absence of jets was observed in seven pregnant subjects and in no controls.Conclusion:Because of asymmetry in ureteral jet between the left and right sides during the later stages of pregnacy,caution is recommended in the use of color Doppler sonography to diagnose ureteral urolithiasis during the later stages of pregnancy.