Radiological investigations following urinary tract infection: Changes in Australian practice

Abstract

Objective: To examine practice changes in the conduct of radiological investigations in Australia following urinary tract infection (UTI). Design: Observational study using data from the national Medicare database over the 15-year period July 1993 to June 2008 for four investigations: renal ultrasound (renal US), micturating cystourethrography (MCU), intravenous pyelography (IVP) and nuclear medicine isotope scanning of the renal tract (NM). Rates per 100 000 children in the age groups 0-4 years and 5-14 years were calculated for each test. Setting: Australian medical practice, including private and public medical settings. Results: The rates of performance of renal US remained fairly consta..