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We studied preoperatively and postoperatively 41 children who underwent pyeloplasty for correction of unilateral ureteropelvic junction obstruction. Conventional radiological studies and quantitative radioiodine hippurate renal scans were obtained to assess the effect of pyeloplasty on the appearance of the kidney and its function.Analysis of the data suggests that the degree of improvement in renal function is related primarily to the age at which the surgical correction is accomplished and whether infection has occurred preoperatively.

Loop cutaneous ureterostomy and cutaneous pyelostomy are safe and effective means of temporary diversion with few complications. Reconstructive operation is delayed until the upper urinary tract has shown maximum improvement in form and function and the patient's tolerance for elective operation has improved. Results of reconstruction may be less than optimal and serious complications may arise. However the staged approach has been shown to be safe and effective. Experience with 29 patients has led to a reassessment of the approach to patients with posterior urethral values and a stronger inclination to primary valve resection, thus avoiding many of the reconstructive procedures ultimately associated with temporary diversion. Patients with posterior urethral valves who have hydronephrotic upper urinary tracts, normal or near normal serum chemistry studies and are free of infection may receive initial valve ablation. All patients with massive hydroureteronephrosis require long-term followup to ensure preservation of renal function regardless of the approach used.

Case review for patients belonging to a health maintenance organization was implemented in a hospital-based, multidisciplinary, outpatient clinic after the influx of 28,000 Medicaid enrollees. One-year follow-up of 138 patients with prepaid mental health insurance and 283 patients with fee-for-service mental health insurance revealed an annual mean of 6.1 treatment sessions; 78% completed treatment within eight sessions. The modal treatment was a single visit. Prepaid and fee-for-service patients did not differ in amount of care, although significant differences were found for insurance subgroups. These preliminary results suggest that case review has little effect on quantity of care.

Several infants with a left suprarenal “cold spot” shown on technetium scintiphotos were also found to have inferior displacement of the left kidney on the urogram. Surgical exploration was considered on the basis of possible adrenal tumor; however, the highly suspicious “lesion” disappeared after gastric deflation, and it was recreated after gastric distention. Review of infant urograms has shown that gastric distention is a common cause of a “normal” low-lying left kidney, in clear distinction to the adult in whom a displaced left kidney frequently shows a pathologic condition.

It is important that the pediatrician or neonatologist remember the high incidence of obstructive uropathy and its ability to remain completely silent. In a circumstance of even minimal suspicion, the physician must obtain a complete evaluation of the infant as well as information regarding the course of the mother’s pregnancy, history of problems in previous births, and a complete maternal and paternal family history.

Chordee is an abnormal curvature of the penis detected on erection. Congenital or primary curvature of the penis without hypospadias is, however, rare. There are two kinds of primary curvatures; those associated with a normal corpus spongiosum and those with a hypoplastic spongiosum. Secondary curvatures associated with Peyronie’s disease or periurethral fibrosis associated with urethral stricture are more common in adults. Four nonhuman primates had successful correction of artificially induced chordee with a graft of fascia lata.

The development of an abdominal mass after urinary diversion in a patient with a ventriculoperitoneal shunt should alert the physician to the possibility of a cerebrospinal fluid pseudocyst. Two pediatric cases of cerebrospinal fluid pseudocysts are presented to illustrate this complication. The etiology, diagnosis and management of the pseudocyst are discussed and the literature is reviewed.

A study was made of 136 patients with vesicoureteral reflux with the conventional radiologic modalities of voiding cystourethrography and IVP. In addition, a 30-minute quantitative scintillation camera study was used. Comparison of these studies indicates that most periodic re-evaluations with IVP can be eliminated in favor of the scintillation study with its markedly reduced radiation dosage and lack of allergic type reactions. Unfortunately, as the quantitative scintillation camera study has been performed in these patients, it has been impossible to diagnose the presence of vesicoureteral reflux. Therefore, voiding cystourethrography or direct radionuclide cystography must be repeated at some time to determine if conservative management has been successful. The benefit of the routine use of the quantitative scintillation camera study in the early postoperative period seems to be strongly supported even by the small group of patients studied.