Value of cystourethroscopy in the assessment of children with recurrent urinary tract infections and/or enuresis.

Forty-one children ages 6-14 years consecutively referred for recurrent urinary tract infections (RUTI) and/or enuresis constituted the study group. Cystourethroscopy (CUS) was carried out in 40 children and pathologic findings were revealed in 70% of children with RUTI in the absence of vesico-ureteral reflux (VUR). However, only in 4 patients did CUS influence treatment. Based on these data we conclude that routine CUS is not justified in the evaluation of this group of children unless anatomical infravesical lesions are suspected. VUR was proven in 44% of children with RUTI. In 86% of these ureters abnormal ureteric orifices were demonstrated. We therefore find CUS to be valuable in the assessment of children with both RUTI and VUR, because this examination is helpful in selecting patients who might need operation for severe VUR. CUS was not of therapeutic benefit to children with enuresis. Five patients with macroscopic haematuria during urinary tract infection were not managed differently following CUS.