Study Type – Diagnosis (case series) Level of Evidence 4
OBJECTIVE
To describe a 25‐year experience of using the Whitaker test in a single tertiary centre for assessing upper urinary tract dilatation, and to evaluate the role of perfusion pressure‐flow studies in contemporary urological surgery for equivocal upper tract obstruction.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
In all, 143 patients with suspected upper urinary tract obstruction were investigated by at least one Whitaker test. The original method was extended to include observations on high flow‐rate perfusion, abnormal renal pelvic peristalsis and loin pain with no pressure increase. Data on clinical presentation, perfusion pressure‐flow studies, diuresis renography and choice of initial therapy were collected prospectively, and the long‐term clinical outcome was analysed retrospectively.
RESULTS
In total, 145 studies were assessed; the Whitaker test showed obstructive features at conventional or higher flow rates in 61 cases and unobstructive patterns in 53. There were four equivocal results. Seventeen studies showed abnormal peristalsis within the renal pelvis and in 10 there was ‘sensory’ loin pain during the test. In patients with idiopathic hydronephrosis, there was agreement between the results of the pressure‐flow studies and diuresis renography in 72%. The Whitaker test determined or contributed to the clinical management in 84% of the cases studied. It was accurate in its prediction of outcome in 77% of cases where obstruction was diagnosed and in 77% of unobstructive cases.
CONCLUSIONS
The Whitaker test continues to have a role in modern urological surgery. It should be reserved for assessing potential upper urinary tract obstruction in the following circumstances: equivocal results from less invasive tests; suspected obstruction with poor kidney function; loin pain with a negative diuresis renogram; suspected intermittent obstruction; and gross dilatation with a positive diuresis renogram.
A group of 21 patients with hydronephrosis but normal bladders had their upper urinary tract pressures monitored while perfusing the affected kidneys through a fine bore nephrostomy tube, initially with the bladder on free drainage and subsequently during bladder filling. In 7 patients the renal pelvic pressures were altered by bladder filling and loin pain was reproduced in 4. It was concluded that with high upper tract flow rates, vesical filling can affect upper tract dynamics and this should be considered when evaluating patients with loin pain or potential obstructive uropathy.
The results of a combined study of 25 patients with idiopathic hydronephrosis are presented. Diuresis renography was performed pre-operatively and surgically removed specimens of the renal pelvis and ureter were examined by light and electron microscopy. There was good correlation between the results of these 2 methods of assessment which have defined 2 broad categories of patients with renal pelvic dilatation. These findings are discussed with particular reference to the clinical value of diuresis renography.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.