A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Diagnostic performance of contrast-enhanced voiding ultrasonography and direct radionuclide cystography with physiologic bladder filling volumes in pediatric vesicoureteral reflux—a prospective study
Authors: Viljamaa, Hanna-Reeta; Laurikainen, Tiina; Pakkasjärvi, Niklas A.; Seppänen, Marko; Rautava, Päivi T. K.; Ripatti, Liisi L. M.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Publication year: 2026
Journal: European Journal of Pediatrics
Article number: 181
Volume: 185
ISSN: 0340-6199
eISSN: 1432-1076
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-026-06814-9
Publication's open availability at the time of reporting: Open Access
Publication channel's open availability : Partially Open Access publication channel
Web address : https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-026-06814-9
Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/515941881
Self-archived copy's licence: CC BY
Self-archived copy's version: Publisher`s PDF
To compare the diagnostic performance of contrast-enhanced voiding ultrasonography (CEVUS) and direct radionuclide cystography (DRC) at physiological bladder filling volumes in pediatric patients with suspected vesicoureteral reflux (VUR). This prospective, comparative study included 22 children with 44 renal units referred for evaluation due to recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs). Bladder function was assessed as normal through a four-hour voiding observation or uroflowmetry. All patients underwent both DRC and CEVUS on the same day, using a single catheterization. The investigations were performed by blinded radiologists. The primary outcome was VUR detection in relation to bladder filling volumes. Secondary outcomes included adverse effects and clinical outcomes in relation to radiological findings. DRC detected VUR in 72.7% of patients and 50.0% of renal units, while CEVUS detected VUR in 77.3% and 52.3% respectively. Among patients with paired bladder-filling data at first VUR detection, median bladder filling volume was 37.3% (IQR 26.7-82.4) of expected bladder capacity for DRC and 66.7% (IQR 52.9-87.3) for CEVUS (Wilcoxon signed-rank p = 0.158). At patient level, paired detection rates were comparable between modalities (exact McNemar p = 1.00). At the renal unit level, intermodality agreement was moderate (Cohen's κ = 0.59; 95% CI 0.35-0.83). DRC detected VUR in 4 renal units negative on CEVUS, whereas CEVUS detected VUR in 5 renal units negative on DRC.
Downloadable publication This is an electronic reprint of the original article. |
Funding information in the publication:
Open Access funding provided by University of Helsinki (including Helsinki University Central Hospital).