In this thesis, attention will be focused on:(i) ultrasonic imaging of normal
and abnormal fetal urinary tract anatomy;(ii) the reduced diagnostic potential
of ultrasound in oligohydramnios, including methods to circumvent this problem;
(iii) the association of ren al tract malforma ti ons and extrarenal and chromosomal
anomalies which may have a decisive impact on obstetrie management. The objectives of the present study were:
a. to define the role of ultrasound in the prenatal diagnosis of fetal urinary
tract malforma ti ons, with particular reference to bilateral renal agenesis, cystic
kidney disease and obstructive uropathy;
b. to document the incidence and nature of associated extra-renal and chromosome
anomalies;
c. to assess perinatal outcome following prenatal diagnosis of a fetal urinary
tract malformation;
d. to establish the possibilities and Iimitations of prenatal ultrasound scanning
in pregnancies at risk for a particular renal tract malformation;
e. tb determine the potential of intra-uterine diversion techniques in obstructive
uropathy