VCUG Concerns

[VCUGconcerns]

My 5m old boy had one UTI at about 3m old. We've received a letter to say he needs a VCUG (also called MCUG) procedure.

There are a significant amount of horror stories online and I am very distressed by these.

Could anyone who has supported their child through this give me their opinion on it? I'm not asking for rose-tinted stories, just honesty is fine.

Also if anyone has refused this procedure for their child, what came next.

Bump

I refused the MCUG procedure but it was slightly different as my boy was older (12 months) so the risk of causing him trauma was higher. I think they say it is ok when they are younger babies as they don’t need to be restrained and won’t remember the procedure. that being said, it’s okay to ask questions and probe as to why it’s necessary or if there are other options such as ultrasounds. Is it an option to take him to see a private urologist for a second opinion on whether it is necessary?

Thank you for replying @rosanna19 . What did you do instead? Go for prophylactic antibiotics? Surgery?

We have agreed atm to have a repeat ultrasound (initial showed mild thickening and mild fullness of the collecting system) as the first was done when he had the UTI so I want to be sure it is actually there and not just caused by the infection itself. But if it comes back as still being there then I know they will push for the MCUG and I am absolutely sure I don't want him to have it but don't know when then happens next.

I also didn’t want to do the long term antibiotics without clear reason - he only had the one UTI and we kept him under very close monitoring for nearly a year, did urine samples at the slightest hint of a fever and did several ultrasounds. he never had another UTI and the scans never showed anything, although if he had that would have changed things. there is another option that shows reflux… I can’t remember the name but it’s a radioactive xray of the kidneys … perhaps that is an option?

The radioactive xray of the kidney is the MCUG - where they insert contrast with a catheter then xray them voiding.

I think I will try to stop ruminating until the ultrasound comes back and then go from there.

sorry got confused, the one I’m thinking of is called a DSMA scan. but we ended up not doing anything and just opted to wait and see which is also a valid option in some circumstances although some consultants aren’t very forthcoming with that. Hope the scan brings good news and you can make your choice!

One of mine had this due to unresolved dilated renal pelvis-i think that's what it was called.The mcug was over quite quickly, he did big crying but he was a big cryer anyway. I got myself in a right state about it but it was nothing really, and got good outcome from it.