ULTRASONIC URETERAL JET STUDY - A COMPARISON WITH THE VOIDING CYSTOURETHROGRAM FOR THE DETECTION OF VESICOURETERAL REFLUX IN CHILDREN

The ultrasonic ureteric jet study is a non-invasive method of measurin g the distance between the midline of the bladder and the ureteric ori fice (MOD). Statistical comparison with the results of single cycle vo iding cystourethrograms (VCU) indicates that a normal MOD measurement on the ureteric jet study is a good predictor of the absence of vesico -ureteric reflux (VUR). For ureters of children less than 4 years of a ge, a MOD less than or equal to 8 mm has a negative predictive value o f 83% (95% confidence interval; 74-93%). For ureters of children aged 4-10 years, a MOD less than or equal to 9 mm has a negative predictive value of 91% (95% confidence interval; 86-97%). The ureteric jet stud y has the potential to identify children who do not have reflux, thus sparing them an unpleasant, invasive procedure.