Etiological Aspects of the Dilatation of the Upper Urinary Tract at University Hospital of Gabriel Toure

Abstract

Introduction: The dilatation of the upper urinary tract, signs in the vast majority of cases the presence of a ureteral obstacle. The etiologies are diverse. Mali is a country where urinary schistosomiasis is endemic. Repeated infestation may result in long-term ureteropelastic dilatation secondary to stenotic sequelae. The objective is to study the causes of dilatations of the upper urinary tract. Materials and Methods: This is a prospective study of 12 months, from October 2010 to September 2011, performed in the urology department of Gabriel Toure University Hospital in Bamako. The parameters studied were: age, sex, reason for consultation, medical history, urinary analysis, etiological diagnosis, management, evaluation of renal failure. Result: In 12 months, we collected 50 cases of dilatations of the upper urinary tract representing 0.66% of all consultations. The average age of our patients was 35 years old. The sex ratio was 2.13 in favor of men. A history of urinary schistosomiasis was found in 25 patients or 50%. Low back pain was the most common reason for consultation, 76%. The renal and bladder ultrasonography performed in all 50 patients in our series found bilateral dilatation in 68% of patients and unilateral dilation in 32% of cases. Urinary tract infection with Escherichia coli was found in 53% of cases. Ureterovesical reimplantation was performed in 40% of cases. Conclusion: The dilatation of the upper urinary tract, consequence of an anatomical or functional obstruction, constitutes a rather frequent pathology and constituted 10% of the surgical acts of our service. Etiologies are diverse: congenital and acquired. Open surgery gives good results, but the introduction of innovative minimally invasive surgical technique is necessary.