The diagnostic value of intrarenal colour duplex Doppler ultrasonography in children with lower urinary tract infection

Background. The diagnostic value of Doppler US in infectious disease of the kidney is well documented. Previous studies have demonstrated high resistive indices, especially in tubulo-interstitial diseases. Objective. To evaluate the role of intrarenal colour duplex Doppler US in lower urinary tract infections (UTI). Materials and methods. This prospective study was carried out in 111 children (222 kidneys) (age range 1-180 months). Of the children, 78 were healthy while 33 presented with lower UTI. The resistive indices (RI) were measured from the spectral waveforms obtained from interlobar arteries. Results. No statistically significant difference was found between RI of right and left kidneys in both groups. The mean RI was 0.75 +/- 0.07 in patients with lower UTI and 0.71 +/- 0.1 in the control group (P < 0.05). In the control group there was an inverse correlation between age and RI (P < 0.05). Conclusions. High RI may be found in lower UTI.