RENOVASCULAR HYPERTENSION IN CHILDREN - CURABILITY PREDICTED WITH NEGATIVE INTRARENAL DOPPLER US RESULTS

PURPOSE: To assess whether intrarenal Doppler ultrasound (US) enables prediction of the outcome of renovascular hypertension in a pediatric population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective study of 29 children with renin-mediated hypertension was performed. In these patients, int rarenal Doppler US was performed before angiography. Doppler US and an giographic findings were compared with patient outcome with respect to treatment required and blood pressure (BP) status after therapy. Cure was defined as a normal BP without medication. RESULTS: Intrarenal Do ppler US was positive in 15 patients (52%), group 1, and negative in 1 4 patients (48%), group 2. In 10 patients (67%) in group II the severi ty of the vascular lesion precluded permanent cure. Cure was achieved in all patients in group 2, except for patients with neurofibromatosis . Thus, there was a statistically significant association (P <.05) bet ween cure and a negative Doppler US result. CONCLUSION: In children wi th renovascular hypertension, a negative Doppler US result enables the prediction that a cure is more likely to be achieved with endovascula r therapy or surgery.