ULTRASOUND GRADING OF HYDRONEPHROSIS - INTRODUCTION TO THE SYSTEM USED BY THE SOCIETY-FOR-FETAL-UROLOGY

The Society for Fetal Urology (SFU) was founded in 1988 to study the p ostnatal evolution of prenatally detected anomalies of the urinary tra ct by following those neonates whose prenatal studies have brought the m to medical attention while asymptomatic. The SFU has attempted to st andardize methods of performing and grading the ultrasound and radionu clide examinations in this population. A system to grade upper tract d ilatation or hydronephrosis (HN) imaged by ultrasound has been develop ed and is being used by SFU members in 36 institutions. The appearance of the calices, renal pelvis and renal parenchyma are kev in determin ing the grade of HN and are illustrated in this article.