POSTERIOR URETHRAL VALVES - INACCURACY OF PRENATAL-DIAGNOSIS

This study was undertaken to determine the specificity of prenatal dia gnosis of posterior urethral valves. Twenty-two fetuses were diagnosed in utero with posterior urethral valves due to the presence of persis tent megacystis and hydronephrosis. Ten cases had oligohydramnios and 12 had normal or increased fluid. Confirmation of diagnosis was not av ailable in 3 fetuses. Only 8 of 19 fetuses had postnatal confirmation of posterior urethral valves. Other anomalies included urethral atresi a, ureteral duplication, megacystis/megaureter, reflux and multicystic dysplastic kidney. We conclude that in utero evidence of megacystis a nd hydronephrosis with or without oligohydramnios is not diagnostic of posterior urethral valves.