Ultrasound and plain X-ray screening in childhood urinary tract infection.

A group of 309 children over the age of 2 years was investigated with ultrasound and plain X-ray for suspected urinary infection. In 29 cases there were abnormal findings and in 10 the abnormalities were confirmed with cystography and intravenous urography. Of 280 children whose ultrasound and plain X-ray findings were normal, 26 re-presented with further symptoms and investigation with cystography and urography showed abnormalities in only 4. The remaining 254 children have remained well and have been spared the uncomfortable and potentially dangerous examinations of cystography and urography.