Variation in the level of detail in pediatric voiding cystourethrogram reports

602 VCUGs were performed at 90 different institutions.

• “VCUG provides a wealth of data on urinary tract function and anatomy, but few standards exist for reporting VCUG findings.”

• “We analyzed original VCUG reports from children enrolled in the randomized intervention for children with vesicoureteral reflux trial (RIVUR). A 23-item checklist was created and used to evaluate reporting of technical, anatomic, and functional information.”

• “76% were read by a pediatric radiologist, and 49% were performed at a FSPH (free-standing pediatric hospital). On average, less than half of the 23 items in our standardized assessment tool were included in VCUG reports. The completeness of reports varied by facility type: 51% complete at FSPH, 50% at PHWH (pediatric “hospital within a hospital”), 36% at NPH (non-pediatric hospital), and 43% at ORF (outpatient radiology facility).”

• “There is a substantial underreporting of findings in VCUG reports when assessing a widely represented sample of routine, community-generated reports using an idealized standard. Although VUR was often reported, other crucial anatomic and functional findings of the VCUG were consistently underreported across all facility types.”