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Ital J Pediatr 2020 Jul 9;46(1):95. Epub 2020 Jul 9.

Department of Pediatric, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266003, Shandong, China.

Background: MED13L-related intellectual disability is a new syndrome that is characterized by intellectual disability (ID), motor developmental delay, speech impairment, hypotonia and facial dysmorphism. Both the MED13L haploinsufficiency mutation and missense mutation were reported to be causative. It has also been reported that patients carrying missense mutations have more frequent epilepsy and show a more severe phenotype. Read More

Front Pediatr 2020 27;8:242. Epub 2020 May 27.

University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States.

In the last decade, management of congenital UPJ obstruction has become progressively observational despite the lack of precise predictors of outcome. While it is clear that many children will have resolution of their hydronephrosis and healthy kidneys, it is equally clear that there are those in whom renal functional development is at risk. Surgical intervention for the young infant, under 6 months, has become relatively infrequent, yet can be necessary and poses unique challenges. Read More

Exp Cell Res 2020 Aug 13;393(1):112086. Epub 2020 May 13.

Department of Urology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, China. Electronic address:

Objective: Ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) is a common renal obstructive disorder, but its pathogenic mechanisms remain largely unclear. We aimed to investigate the potential involvement of the renin-angiotensin system in congenital UPJO pathogenesis.

Methods: Differentially expressed proteins in exosomes isolated from amniotic fluid of patients with congenital UPJO were characterized using iTRAQ (isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification)-based proteomics. Read More

J Pediatr Urol 2020 Apr 10. Epub 2020 Apr 10.

Pediatric Urology The Children's Hospital of Michigan 3901 Beaubien Detroit, MI 48201, USA. Electronic address:

Background: In December 2014, Nguyen et al. introduced the Upper Tract Dilation (UTD) classification scheme, hoping to unify multiple disciplines when describing ultrasound imaging of congenital hydronephrosis. We hypothesized that the academic community has been slow to adopt its use in publications. Read More

J Int Med Res 2020 Apr;48(4):300060520918781

Department of Nephrology, Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.

Objectives: We aimed to investigate the safety concerns associated with placing double-J ureteric stents post-laparoscopic pyeloplasty surgery for congenital ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) and hydronephrosis.

Methods: A total of 1349 patients with postoperative double-J stent placement at our center were included. Clinical variables for enrolled patients were collected by two independent authors. Read More

Pediatr Med Chir 2019 Dec 19;41(2). Epub 2019 Dec 19.

Pediatric Surgery and Urologic Unit, Local Health Unit 8, S. Bortolo Hospital, Vicenza.

The hydronephrosis, characterized by the dilation of the renal pelvicalyceal system with possible functional damage to the renal parenchyma, is the most common congenital abnormality of the urinary system detected in utero through the prenatal ultrasound screening. (.. Read More

Front Pediatr 2020 7;8:137. Epub 2020 Apr 7.

Gaziantep Maternity and Children's Hospital, Pediatric Urology, Gaziantep, Turkey.

Kidney parenchyma and collecting system arise from two different embryologic units as a result of a close interaction between them. Therefore, their congenital abnormalities are classified together under the same heading named CAKUT (congenital abnormalities of the kidney and urinary tract). The pathogenesis of CAKUT is thought to be multifactorial. Read More

Int J Urol 2020 May 11;27(5):369-376. Epub 2020 Mar 11.

Committee for the Formulation of Medical Management Guide for Pediatric Congenital Hydronephrosis (ureteropelvic junction obstruction), Academic Committee, Japanese Society of Pediatric Urology, Osaka, Japan.

The prevalence of asymptomatic hydronephrosis, now detected by ultrasonography, has increased. However, definitive management guidelines for the management of congenital hydronephrosis have not been established. The Japanese Society of Pediatric Urology created a "medical management guide" based on new findings for physicians practicing pediatric urology. Read More

J Pediatr Surg 2020 Feb 11. Epub 2020 Feb 11.

National Children's Research Centre, Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland; School of Medicine and Medical Science and Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Ireland. Electronic address:

Purpose: Ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction is the most common cause of congenital hydronephrosis in children. The pathophysiology of UPJ obstruction and the exact mechanism of pelviureteral peristalsis are poorly understood. Anoctamin-1 (ANO1), a Ca-activated chloride channel, has been shown to play a key role in muscle wall contractions in the gastrointestinal tract. Read More

Mol Genet Genomic Med 2020 Apr 14;8(4):e1183. Epub 2020 Feb 14.

Norton Children's Urology, Norton Healthcare, Louisville, KY, USA.

Background: Congenital aniridia involves total or partial hypoplasia of the iris and is due to a deficiency in PAX6 gene expression. WAGR syndrome is comprised of Wilms tumor, aniridia, genitourinary abnormalities, and intellectual disability. Numerous genitourinary pathologies may be associated with WAGR syndrome, necessitating an evaluation of the genitourinary anatomy. Read More

Clin Nephrol 2020 Apr;93(4):195-202

Aim: By observing the expression and distribution of platelet-derived growth factor receptor α-positive (PDGFRα) cells in ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO), to explore their role in the pathogenesis of children with congenital hydronephrosis.

Materials And Methods: The control group involved specimens of the normal ureter (nephrectomy for tumor; n = 10), and the UPJO group contained specimens of ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) segment excised during pyeloplasty (n = 30). The specimens were investigated using immunofluorescence for the expression and distribution of PDGFRα cells in each group by light microscopy with computerized image analysis. Read More

J Pediatr Urol 2020 Feb 15;16(1):107.e1-107.e5. Epub 2019 Nov 15.

Department of Pediatrics, Section of Nephrology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran.

Background: Pregnancy is associated with reactivation and transmission of latent polyomavirus to fetus. Polyomavirus is also known to cause ureteral stenosis and hydronephrosis.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate whether the urinary polyomavirus could be used as a potential biomarker in newborns with ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO). Read More

Pediatr Nephrol 2019 Dec 6. Epub 2019 Dec 6.

Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Nephrology, Ankara University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.

Antenatal hydronephrosis (AHN) is the most frequently detected abnormality by prenatal ultrasonography. Differential diagnosis of AHN includes a wide variety of congenital abnormalities of the kidney and urinary tract ranging from mild abnormalities such as transient or isolated AHN to more important ones as high-grade congenital vesicoureteral reflux or ureteropelvic junction obstruction. It is well known that the outcome depends on the underlying etiology. Read More

Acta Inform Med 2019 Sep;27(3):181-185

Paediatric Clinic 2, Clinical Center University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Introduction: Congenital hydronephrosis (CH) is a condition with dilated renal pelvis with or without dilation of renal calyces.

Aim: To examine the role of magnetic resonance urography in the detection of congenital hydronephrosis in comparison to dynamic renal scintigraphy (DRS).

Patients And Methods: Resarch included 58 (n=58) patients with diagnosis of congenital unilateral or bilateral dilatation of kidney duct system. Read More

J Biol Regul Homeost Agents 2019 Sep-Oct;33(5 Suppl. 1):33-37

Department of Human Pathology of Adult and Childhood "Gaetano Barresi", Unit of Pediatric Surgery, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.

We report our experience in conservative management of patients with prenatal and neonatal diagnosis of severe bilateral ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO), focusing on the actual predictors of renal function impairment or spontaneous resolution. Between 1996 and 2006, 20 patients with bilateral severe hydronephrosis related to UPJO were included in the study. Indications for surgery were an increased hydronephrosis, decreased renal function, onset of symptoms. Read More

Urology 2020 Jan 14;135:20-23. Epub 2019 Aug 14.

Department of Surgery, Division of Urology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC. Electronic address:

J Robot Surg 2020 Apr 20;14(2):325-329. Epub 2019 Jun 20.

Department of Urology, AIIMS, Room no 224, Jodhpur, 342001, India.

Ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) is a frequently found congenital abnormality of the upper urinary tract treated with pyeloplasty. We hereby report a study to compare open pyeloplasty (OP), laparoscopic pyeloplasty (LP) and robotic assisted pyeloplasty (RAP) for UPJO in terms of functional and perioperative outcomes. 102 patients who underwent Anderson-Hynes dismembered pyeloplasty for UPJO were divided into three groups based on type of surgical techniques utilized as follows: OP (Group A; n = 34), LP (Group B; n = 34), and RAP (Group C; n = 34). Read More

Clin Kidney J 2019 Jun 1;12(3):382-399. Epub 2018 Dec 1.

Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA.

Congenital anomalies of the kidneys or lower urinary tract (CAKUT) are the most common causes of renal failure in children and account for 25% of end-stage renal disease in adults. The spectrum of anomalies includes renal agenesis; hypoplasia; dysplasia; supernumerary, ectopic or fused kidneys; duplication; ureteropelvic junction obstruction; primary megaureter or ureterovesical junction obstruction; vesicoureteral reflux; ureterocele; and posterior urethral valves. CAKUT originates from developmental defects and can occur in isolation or as part of other syndromes. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2019 May;98(22):e15697

Laboratory of Pathogenic Biology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou Guangdong, China.

Rationale: A horseshoe kidney is the most common congenital fusion abnormality in the kidney, occurring in approximately 1 in 400 live births. Several complications including renal malignancies, ureteropelvic junction obstruction, urolithiasis, vesicoureteral reflux, and hydronephrosis can occur in this patient population.

Patient Concerns: A 28-year-old woman was admitted to hospital because of chronic left low back pain. Read More

J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2019 Apr 29:1-6. Epub 2019 Apr 29.

h Department of Child Health , Changning Maternal and Child Health Hospital , Shanghai , China.

Objective: The aim of this prospective observational study was to establish a suitable model for the postnatal follow-up and management of prenatal renal and urinary tract anomalies in Shanghai, China.

Methods: Minhang and Changning maternal child health care hospitals were selected to establish the integrated management model. Newborns with prenatal renal and urinary tract anomalies in these two centers were eligible to participate in the study from 2015 to 2017. Read More

World J Urol 2019 Apr 5. Epub 2019 Apr 5.

Department of Urology, University of Texas Southwestern, Dallas, TX, USA.

Purpose: The introduction of robotic surgical technology into urological reconstruction, particularly pediatrics, has introduced new horizons for reducing the morbidity and enhancing the efficacy of surgical repair of congenital conditions in children. In reviewing the evolution of pediatric urological applications of robotic surgery, we wanted to address the different levels of reported utilization of pyeloplasty and ureteral reimplantation as two of the most common procedures.

Methods: Review of the published literature sought to explore the described variation in clinical application of these two common procedures, and the evolution of the practice over time. Read More

Adv Clin Exp Med 2019 Nov;28(11):1507-1511

Department of Pediatric Surgery and Urology, Wroclaw Medical University, Poland.

Background: A bundle of crossing vessels (CV) supplying the lower pole of the kidney and causing mechanical obstruction of the ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) has been the subject of many discussions. During pyeloplasty, it is possible to overlook the CV. This may result in recurrent dilatation of the kidney and the need for re-surgery. Read More

Int J Urol 2019 06 18;26(6):643-647. Epub 2019 Mar 18.

Department of Pediatrics, Kansai Medical University, Hirakata, Osaka, Japan.

Objectives: To determine a follow-up plan for mild congenital hydronephrosis in Japanese individuals.

Methods: Neonates at Kansai Medical University Hospital (Hirakata, Osaka, Japan) who were diagnosed with mild congenital hydronephrosis - defined as a Society for Fetal Urology grade 1 or 2 - at 1-month old by abdominal ultrasonography between 2014 and 2016 were enrolled. These patients were encouraged to undergo repeated abdominal ultrasonography for 2 years every 3 months to investigate the course of congenital hydronephrosis. Read More

J Pediatr Urol 2019 Feb 22;15(1):18-26. Epub 2018 Nov 22.

Anatomy Lecturer, Selwyn College, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.

Introduction: Robert Whitaker, inspired by Dr William W Scott at the Brady Institute at Johns Hopkins and by Sir David Innes Williams at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children in the late 1960s, spent much of his career exploring the meaning of persistent dilatation of the upper urinary tract, in an attempt to define obstruction and to find a means of diagnosing it accurately.

Objective: This is a historical review of Bob Whitaker's journey from his definition of obstruction to the inception of his eponymous test.

Results: In 1975, he proposed a theory to explain the pathophysiology behind obstructive hydronephrosis and megaureter. Read More

Int Urol Nephrol 2019 Feb 5;51(2):193-199. Epub 2018 Dec 5.

Department of Urology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Tianhe Road 600, Guangzhou, 510630, Guangdong, China.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect and safety of modifying a threading cannula needle-assisted suspension fixation in retroperitoneal laparoscopic dismembered pyeloplasty (LDP) for children with congenital ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO).

Methods: Between December 2012 and December 2017, 45 children (< 14 years of age) with congenital UPJO were divided into two groups. In Group A, children underwent conventional "no-suspension fixation" LDP; and in Group B, "4-point suspension fixation" LDP was performed to lower difficulties and shorten operative time. Read More

J Pediatr Urol 2019 Feb 17;15(1):44.e1-44.e7. Epub 2018 Oct 17.

Xinjiang Institute of Pediatrics, People's Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Urumqi, China. Electronic address:

Introduction: In children with congenital ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO), urinary biomarkers could assist in the diagnosis of renal damage or kidneys at risk for damage. Urinary levels of interleukin-6 (IL6), neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (LCN2), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP1), and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGFB1) proteins have been correlated with renal damage in several contexts. Whether they might be useful non-invasive biomarkers of obstructive nephropathy due to unilateral and bilateral congenital UPJO was tested. Read More

Dis Markers 2018 13;2018:1015726. Epub 2018 Sep 13.

Department of Pediatric Nephrology, Medical University of Lublin, Gębali 6, 20-093 Lublin, Poland.

Obstructive nephropathy (ON) secondary to the congenital hydronephrosis (HN) is one of the most common causes of chronic kidney disease in children. Neither currently used imaging techniques nor conventional laboratory parameters are sufficient to assess the onset and outcome of this condition; hence, there is a need to prove the usefulness of newly discovered biomarkers of kidney injury in this respect. The purpose of the study was to assess the urinary excretion of alpha-GST, pi-GST, NGAL, and KIM-1 and the serum level of NGAL in children with congenital unilateral hydronephrosis secondary to ureteropelvic junction obstruction. Read More

Urologe A 2018 Aug;57(8):969-986

Sektion Pädiatrische Nephrologie, Zentrum für Kinder- und Jugendmedizin, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität, Langenbeckstr. 1, 55101, Mainz, Deutschland.

Dilatations of the urinary tract are discovered in increasing numbers in intrauterine or postnatal sonographic screening examinations. Only few urinary tract anomalies (e. g. Read More

Acta Paediatr 2019 01 24;108(1):50-57. Epub 2018 Jul 24.

Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.

Aim: Congenital ureteral obstruction is a fairly common condition in infants, and its clinical management has been long debated during the last decade. The long-term physiological consequences of today's conservative non-surgical management in many asymptomatic hydronephrotic children are unclear.

Methods: Experimental studies in rats and mice, retrospective studies in children and adults, as well as prospective studies in children are included in this mini review. Read More

Rom J Morphol Embryol 2018 ;59(1):197-201

Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Oradea, Romania; Department of Occupational Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, Romania;

Congenital hydronephrosis caused by ureteral anomalies, like ureteral duplicity, megaureter, ureteral ectopy and ureterocele, must be differentiated from ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UJO) hydronephrosis and from the hydronephrosis caused by vesicoureteral reflux. These represent a differentiated branch of congenital abnormalities in children even if not so common, but this fact should not be disconsidered. Over a five years period, from 111 operated children in our Clinic, we performed 13 interventions for congenital hydronephrosis, 11 (84. Read More

PeerJ 2018 18;6:e4791. Epub 2018 May 18.

Division of Urology, Medical School, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.

Introduction: Ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) is a common congenital anomaly leading to varying degrees of hydronephrosis (HN), ranging from no apparent effect on the renal function to atrophy. Evaluation of these children is based on Diuretic Renal Scintigraphy (DRS) and Ultrasonography (US). Recent studies have suggested that new parameters of conventional and color Doppler ultrasonography (CDUS) may be useful in discriminating which kidneys are obstructed. Read More

Pol Merkur Lekarski 2018 Apr;44(262):196-200

Department of Pediatrics and Nephrology, Medical University of Warsaw.

Pyonephrosis in the course of hydronephrosis usually provides to total or near-total loss of renal function. In adults pyonephrosis usually results from urolithiasis. In children usually congenital urinary tract anomalies are present as contributing factors. Read More

Indian J Nucl Med 2018 Jan-Mar;33(1):39-42

Department of Urology, Nil Ratan Sircar Medical College and Hospital, West Bengal, India.

Introduction: Hydronephrosis (HDN) in adults is a common presentation and may be due to congenital ureteropelvic junction obstruction. Diuresis renography is the method of choice for differentiating a dilated unobstructed urinary system from a true obstruction. The aim of this study was to compare the F+20 protocol with F-15 protocol and see whether this new protocol can reduce inconclusive results. Read More

Scand J Clin Lab Invest 2018 Feb - Apr;78(1-2):55-61. Epub 2017 Dec 3.

e Nephrology Department , The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University , Zhengzhou , PR China.

Congenital obstructive nephropathy is amongst the main causes of chronic renal failure in children. Early diagnosis and initiation of the treatment will delay progressive renal tubular atrophy and interstitial fibrosis with the loss of nephrons. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether urinary (u) semaphorin-3A (SEMA-3A) and Netrin-1 may be potential biomarkers in children with congenital hydronephrosis due to ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO). Read More

Case Rep Nephrol 2017 17;2017:9852912. Epub 2017 Oct 17.

Pediatric Nephrology, Armand Trousseau Hospital, APHP, Paris, France.

Congenital ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) is the most common cause of upper urinary tract obstruction in children. It is generally diagnosed in the routine work-up during antenatal period and is characterized by spontaneous recovery. It can be associated with urolithiasis; hence further investigation should be carried out. Read More

Eur J Med Genet 2018 Mar 21;61(3):134-138. Epub 2017 Nov 21.

McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.

Gillespie syndrome (GS) [MIM: 206700] is a very rare condition characterized by bilateral iris defect, congenital hypotonia, cerebellar ataxia and intellectual disability. The typical iris anomaly is considered necessary to the diagnosis of GS. Recently, variants in ITPR1 were described causing GS. Read More

J Pediatr Urol 2018 02 27;14(1):68.e1-68.e6. Epub 2017 Oct 27.

Pediatric Surgery Unit, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy; DINOGMI, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.

Introduction: Ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) is one of the most frequent urological diseases affecting the pediatric population. It can be due to both intrinsic stenosis of the junction and extrinsic causes such as the presence of crossing vessels (CVs), which can be detected by color Doppler ultrasound (CD-US). Magnetic resonance urography (MRU) is a good alternative, but sedation and infusion of a contrast agent are required. Read More

J Am Soc Nephrol 2018 02 6;29(2):532-544. Epub 2017 Nov 6.

Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology,

Intrinsic ureteropelvic junction obstruction is the most common cause of congenital hydronephrosis, yet the underlying pathogenesis is undefined. Hedgehog proteins control morphogenesis by promoting GLI-dependent transcriptional activation and inhibiting the formation of the GLI3 transcriptional repressor. Hedgehog regulates differentiation and proliferation of ureteric smooth muscle progenitor cells during murine kidney-ureter development. Read More

J Pediatr Urol 2018 02 13;14(1):62.e1-62.e4. Epub 2017 Oct 13.

Department of Urology, Hasheminejad Kidney Research Center (HKRC), Iran University of Medical Science (IUMS), Tehran, Iran. Electronic address:

Introduction: Ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) is the most common cause of hydronephrosis in children. One major challenge in the management of UPJO is to select the patients that must be subjected to early obstruction relief. Currently, there is no gold standard for this assessment. Read More

Adv Clin Exp Med 2017 Aug;26(5):857-864

Clinical Department of Urology, 4th Clinical Military Hospital, Wrocław, Poland.

Ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) causes a reduction in the urine flow from the renal pelvis into the ureter. Untreated UPJO may cause hydronephrosis, chronic infection or urolithiasis and will often result in progressive deterioration of renal function. Most cases of UPJO are congenital; however, the disease can be clinically silent until adulthood. Read More

J Urol 2018 03 21;199(3):847-852. Epub 2017 Oct 21.

Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation, Children's National Health System, Washington, D. C.; Departments of Radiology and Pediatrics, School of Medicine and Health Science, George Washington University, Washington, D. C.

Purpose: We sought to define features that describe the dynamic information in diuresis renograms for the early detection of clinically significant hydronephrosis caused by ureteropelvic junction obstruction.

Materials And Methods: We studied the diuresis renogram of 55 patients with a mean ± SD age of 75 ± 66 days who had congenital hydronephrosis at initial presentation. Five patients had bilaterally affected kidneys for a total of 60 diuresis renograms. Read More

J Pediatr Urol 2018 02 19;14(1):55.e1-55.e6. Epub 2017 Sep 19.

Department of Urology, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, South Korea. Electronic address:

Background: In children with antenatally detected hydronephrosis caused by ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) stenosis, the main challenge is preserving renal function by identifying children who require early surgical intervention from those for whom watchful waiting may be appropriate because of the potential for spontaneous resolution without a significant loss of renal function.

Objective: To assess the impact of initial cortical transit time (CTT) on technetium-99m mercaptoacetyltriglycerine (MAG3) diuretic renogram on the need for surgery in children with antenatally detected unilateral hydronephrosis caused by UPJ stenosis.

Study Design: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 33 patients with antenatally detected unilateral hydronephrosis caused by UPJ stenosis who were managed at our institution between 2006 and 2014. Read More

Pediatr Res 2017 Dec 13;82(6):1080-1087. Epub 2017 Sep 13.

National Children's Research Centre, Department of Pediatric Surgery, Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.

Background: Ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction is the most common cause of congenital hydronephrosis. Normal ureteral motility requires coordinated interaction between neurons, smooth muscle cells (SMCs), and interstitial Cajal-like cells (IC-LCs). Recently, a new type of interstitial cell, platelet-derived growth factor receptor α-positive (PDGFRα) cells, was discovered in the gastrointestinal tract and bladder. Read More

Pak J Med Sci 2017 Mar-Apr;33(2):315-319

Alireza Safarpour, Gastroenterohepatology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.

Objective: To determine the applicability of urinary caspase 3 enzyme and TNF-α as biomarkers in children with ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO).

Methods: In this study, 31 unilateral UPJO patients and 33 age- and sex-matched healthy childrens were enrolled. The patients with UPJO consisted of 11 female and 20 male children between the ages of 2 to 62 months old. Read More

Indian J Pediatr 2017 Jul 3;84(7):531-539. Epub 2017 May 3.

Department of Pediatric Surgery, Maulana Azad Medical College and Associated Lok Nayak Hospital, New Delhi, 110002, India.

The postnatal treatment of asymptomatic unilateral hydronephrosis due to ureteropelvic junction obstruction remains controversial, and the timing of and indications for surgical intervention are continuously debated. There is no consensus on the best follow-up during expectant management. The various modalities and parameters have been discussed along with their pros and cons and an attempt has been made to clear up the controversies. Read More

Transl Pediatr 2017 Jan;6(1):67-71

Department of Pediatric Surgery and Pediatric Minimally Invasive Surgery and New Technologies, San Bortolo Hospital, Vicenza, Italy.

Ureteral atresia is a rare disease usually associated with a non-functioning dysplastic kidney. The condition may be unilateral or bilateral; focal, short or long and may involve any part of the ureter. Association with other urinary anomalies is rare. Read More

Curr Top Dev Biol 2017 27;122:245-278. Epub 2016 Jul 27.

Institut für Molekularbiologie, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Hannover, Germany. Electronic address:

T-box (Tbx) genes encode an ancient group of transcription factors that play important roles in patterning, specification, proliferation, and differentiation programs in vertebrate organogenesis. This is testified by severe organ malformation syndromes in mice homozygous for engineered null alleles of specific T-box genes and by the large number of human inherited organ-specific diseases that have been linked to mutations in these genes. One of the organ systems that has not been associated with loss of specific T-box gene function in human disease for long is the excretory system. Read More

Niger Postgrad Med J 2016 Oct-Dec;23(4):232-234

Department of Surgery, Urology Unit, College of Medicine, University of Lagos/Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Lagos, Nigeria.

A horseshoe kidney (HSK) is the most common congenital renal fusion anomaly. HSKs are more likely than normal kidneys to have associated problems of stones, ureteropelvic junction obstruction, stasis and infection. However, they do not have an increased incidence of renal cell carcinoma when compared to normal kidneys. Read More

Urology 2017 Mar 16;101:e3-e4. Epub 2016 Dec 16.

Department of Urology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA.

Pyelitis emphysematosa is a gas-forming infection characterized by gas located within the wall of the collecting system and renal pelvis. There are only 2 reported cases of pyelitis emphysematosa in the literature, neither of which occurred in the era of cross-sectional imaging. Here we present a case of pyelitis emphysematosa occurring in an elderly female with congenital left renal atrophy and chronic right hydronephrosis secondary to ureteropelvic junction obstruction. Read More

J Urol 2017 03 8;197(3 Pt 2):838-844. Epub 2016 Dec 8.

Division of Urology, Children's National Health System, Washington, D.C.

Purpose: In infants with SFU (Society for Fetal Urology) grade 3-4 congenital hydronephrosis, Tc-mercaptoacetyltriglycine diuretic renography assesses differential function and drainage half-time. We routinely also include the percent of radiotracer drained after 30 minutes of diuresis as well as after 15 minutes with the patient in the upright position. We investigated whether any 1 or more of these parameters on initial diuretic renography predicts persistent or worsening drainage parameters. Read More