Radiologic Investigation of the Urinary Tract in the Neonate with Myelomeningocele

A significant number of neonates with myelomeningocele are born with potentially damaging abnormalities of the urinary tract. Therefore, it is logical to investigate these patients aggressively and initiate therapy as early as possible to preserve renal function and maintain lower tract integrity for future continence management. Results of excretory urograms and voiding cystourethrograms were reviewed in 68 consecutive neonates with myelomeningocele. They indicate clearly that only a third of the patients with normal excretory urograms had a normal voiding cystourethrogram, which implies that both studies be performed for complete evaluation of the urinary tract. In other words, of these 68 patients 55 (80.9 per cent) had a normal excretory urogram but only 17 (30.9 per cent) had a normal voiding cystourethrogram. Of the 13 patients (19.1 per cent) with an abnormal excretory urogram 12 (92.3 per cent) had an abnormal voiding cystourethrogram. Reflux occurred in 16.2 per cent of patients; 6 of 7 patients with grade II reflux and 1 of 3 patients with grade III reflux had a normal excretory urogram.