Hydronephrosis and urinary tract bilharziasis. A radiological and necropsy survey.

Radiological study Excluding repeat investigations, 1,525 successful intravenous pyelograms, comprising all those performed on African and Indian patients during 1964, were reviewed. In addition to noting the original radiological reports, we re-examined the radiographs for abnormalities, including evidence of possible bilharziasis. When either hydronephrosis or radiographic non-function of a kidney due to any cause was found, the case records were reviewed, and the findings classified according to aetiology, race and sex. In some instances where hydronephrosis was present no function could be observed in the remaining kidney. Such patients were classified as hydronephrosis only. However, there were 26 other patients with one radiographically non-functioning kidney in whom the remaining kidney appeared normal. As hydronephrosis could not be excluded in the non-functioning kidney these patients are also included in the group with hydronephrosis. Such instances are indicated in the tables.