Historical Contribution: 1963, King et al, The Bladder Neck in Childhood

1963
King LR, Mellins HZ, Scott WW. Radiographic Evaluation of the Bladder Neck in Childhood. Trans of Amer Assoc of Genito-urinary Sugeons. 1963. 55:7-12.


 
In the Transcripts of the American Association of Genitourinary Surgeons, Lowell King, Harry Mellins and William Wallace Scott detail the anatomy of voiding in 121 pediatric patients. Children ranged from one day to 17 years old. They found a number of interesting observations they describe in the manuscript:

• Approximately 40% of normal girls will have a narrowed proximal urethra – this has no bearing on incidence of vesicoureteral reflux or clinical outcomes and can therefore be considered normal.
• Of boys with outlet obstruction, about half of the patients had meatal stenosis and the other half had posterior urethral valves (PUV).
• Of boys with recurrent urinary tract infections (UTI), approximately half had a congenital abnormality of the outlet – either PUV or an ureterocele. The rest had normal anatomy but functional deficits that led to residual urine and UTI.

In conclusion, King, Mellins and Scott found that there was a characteristic appearance of the bladder neck in pediatric patients with obstruction. However, "A narrow bladder neck relative to the proximal urethra as seen in the AP view is a common finding, and is certainly not a specific sign of bladder neck contracture."

 
To read the entire manuscript: follow the link above, visit the Centennial Website or click here.

 

HISTORICAL CONTRIBUTIONS highlight the greatest academic manuscripts from the Brady Urological Institute over the past 100 years.  As the Brady Urological Institute approaches its centennial, we will present a HISTORICAL CONTRIBUTION from each of the past 100 years.  In the most recent experience, the most highly cited article from each year is selected; older manuscripts were selected based on their perceived impact on the field.  We hope you enjoy!