The Efficacy of Tc-99m DMSA Scintigraphy in Children with Vesicoureteral Reflux Accompanying Frequent Urinary Tract Infection

Objective: Urinary tract infection is one of the most common diseases in childhood. Experimental studies have shown that renal damage due to urinary tract infection can be prevented by early diagnosis and treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between vesicoureteral reflux grade and Technetium-99m- dimercaptosuccinic acid scintigraphy in patients with frequent urinary tract infectionMethods Between January and October 2017, 34 cases were diagnosed as vescoureteral reflux with voiding cystoureterography were retrospectively evaluated with Technetium-99m- dimercaptosuccinic acid scintigraphy in terms of renal scar and function. Scars and function ratios were evaluated in Technetium-99m- dimercaptosuccinic acid scintigraphy according to voiding cystourethrography grades and correlation between the vesicoureteral reflux grade and Technetium-99m- dimercaptosuccinic acid scintigraphy findings were investigated.Results: Of 34 patients, 26 (76.5%) were female and 8 (23.5%) were male. The mean age of the patients was 6.08 ± 4.03 (min: 1 month, max: 17 years). Twenty-one patients had unilateral vesicoureteral reflux and 13 patients had bilateral vesicoureteral reflux. Vesicoureteral reflux were detected in 47 of the total 68 kidneys.Conclusion: In children with vesicoureteral reflux, Technetium-99m- dimercaptosuccinic acid scintigraphy provides useful information to show the kidney damage and as the vesicoureteral reflux grade increases, the rate of kidney damage increases. Even in the case of grade 1 and grade 2 vesicoureteral reflux, which are not expected to cause renal parenchymal damage. Technetium-99m- dimercaptosuccinic acid scintigraphy is the most successful imaging method for detecting parenchymal injury.