Prune Belly Syndrome Network, Inc.

Antibiotics - medicines used to kill bacteria and treat infection.

Artificial urinary sphincter - device that can be placed around the urethra or bladder neck to close them and thereby replace the usual function of the sphincter.

Atonic bladder - a bladder that does not contract

Bladder scanner - a machine used to measure the amount of urine contained in the bladder utilizing a form of ultrasound.

Buried Penis - a penis that is concealed by scarring of the residual foreskin over the head of the penis.

Chordee - curvature of the penis

Circumcision - surgical removal of foreskin

Collecting System - drains the urine from the nephron eventually forming the ureter which transports the urine to the bladder.

Compliance - a measure of the ability of the bladder to relax and accomodate an increasing volume of urine.

Concealed penis - a penis that is concealed from view by an abnormality of the penile skin and excessive suprapubic fat.

Contrast - Materials used in radiological studies to enhance the differences between different structures to enhance imaging and diagnosis.

Cryptorchidism - the condition of having one or two undescended testicles

CT scan - Radiological technique to image the body which provides very detailed images of not only bones but also soft tissues. An excellent tool for imaging internal organs like the kidneys and bladder.

Cystoscope - a surgical instrument consiting of a tube a lens used to visualize the inside of the urethra and bladder.

Cystitis - Infection of the bladder.

Cysts - Fluid filled sacs within the kidney, often near the surface, believed to be formed from an abnormal dilation of the renal tubule. Very common.

Deinnervation - loss of nerve function

Detrusor-sphincter-dysnergia - discoordination between contraction of the bladder and relaxation of the sphincter.

Duplication Anomaly - Very common abnormality where the kidney has two ureters. Often associated with the abnormal placement of the ureters into the bladder.

Dysfunctional Voiding - Abnormal discordination during voiding that can lead to incontinece and infection.

Dysplastic - When used in the context of the kidney refers to abnormal renal development characterized by the failure of the tubules to fully mature. Will often have abnormal tissue present such as cartiledge. Not cancerous.

Dysuria - discomfort, usually a burning sensation, felt during voiding.

Ectopic Ureter - A congenital condition that does not insert into the bladder but rather terminates into the bladder neck, urethra or vagina. These ureters are usually obstructed and may be a cause of incontinence.

Electrolytes - Substances in the body such as sodium, potassium and cholride that are essential to maintain the electrochemical gradients necessary for cellular function.

Endopyelotomy - A technique to cut open an obstruction of the ureteropelvic junction using an instrument placed via the ureter or through a tube placed into the kidney through the skin from the back.

Epididymis - the organ attached to the testicle that consists of a very long and highly coiled tube that thickens to form the vas through which the sperm travels. Assists in the maturation of the young sperm.

Fertility - the ability to have children

Frequency - the need to void more frequently than expected.

Glans - the head of the penis.

Hematuria - blood in the urine.

Homeostatsis - A state of equilibrium which promotes optimal and normal functioning. The body adjusts in order to reach this state of balance.

Horseshoe Kidney - A abnormality of the kidneys such that they are joined together at the lower portion of the kidney.

Hydronephrosis - Dilation of the collecting system within the kidney which may include dilation of the calyces and or renal pelvis. Usually associated with obstruction though there may be dilation without obstruction.

Hydronephrotic - A imaging description of the kidney characterized by dilation of the renal collecting system. Often caused by obstruction.

Hypertension - High blood pressure.

Hypospadias - common condition whereby the opening of the urethra is not normally positioned at the tip of the penis.

Incontinence - The involuntary passage of urine via the urethra that is of a concern or bother to the patient.

Infertility - the inability to have children

Intermittent catheterization - placement of a catheter tube into the bladder to drain it and then remove the tube on a regular timed basis.

Intravenous - into the vein.

Intravenous pyelogram (IVP) - Radiologic technique using x-rays and contrast material that is giving through the vein but is taken up by the kidney and excreted into the collecting system. An excellent way to visualize the urinary tract to survey for obstruction, stones or tumors.

Kidney - The organ responsible for urine production. Normally there are two kidneys. Regulates the levels of fluid and electrolytes in the body as well as having a major role in regulating blood pressure.

Kidney Stone - A stone that forms in the collecting system of the kidney.

Laparoscopy - a surgical technique whereby a camera and instruments are inserted through narrow tubes placed into the abdomen and the surgery performed without a large incision.

Meatal Stenosis - narrowing of the opening of the urethra. Characterized by an upwardly deflecting urinary stream.

Megalourethra - a rare anomaly resulting from abnormal development of the corpus spongiosum and less frequently the corpus cavernosum. Congenital dilatation of the penile urethra without obstruction results. Both the phallus and the urethra are enlarged in megalourethra.

Megaureter - A very large ureter. Can be a consequence of reflux or obstruction or just due to abnormal development.

Membraneous urethra - part of the urethra surrounded by the sphincter. Lies between the prostatic and bulbar urethra.

Microscopic hematuria - blood in the urine that can only be seen by the use of a microscope.

Multicystic Dysplastic Kidney - A kidney that has a failure of any normal development and consists only of cysts and fibous tissue. Believed to be caused by early and complete obstruction of the ureter.

Myelomeningocele - a congenital deformity of the spine characterized by an opening allowing the protrusion of the spinal cord. The condition is generally associated with an abnormality of the spinal cord as well. Also known as spina bifida.

Nephrologist - Physician who is expert in diseases of the kidney.

Nephrology - The study of the kidney and it’s functioning.

Nephron - The functional unit of the kidney. Acts as a filter for the blood and as a recycling center by reabsorbing water and other desireable elements.

Nephrostomy - A tube placed into the kidney through the skin that is used to drain the kidney.

Neurogenic bladder - an abnormal functioning bladder due to a neurologic cause.

Nocturnal enuresis - involuntary voiding during sleep

Non-functioning Kidney - A kidney that has no measurable function. Although the kidney may or may not still make urine, the urine is of poor quality and the kidney is of no benefit to the patient.

Nuclear Cystogram - A nuclear medicine test to detect reflux. Performed by instilling radiotracer into the bladder through a catheter and imaging the bladder. A very sensitive test and has only 1/100 radiation exposure of a VCUG.

Nuclear Renal Scan - A imaging technique for the kidney using a radiotracer that is given travels through the vein and is taken up and excreted by the kidneys. Depending on the tracer used these tests can provide an accurate measure of renal function, obstruction and scars.

Oligohydramnios - a state of very low amount of amniotic fluid

Orchiopexy - operation to bring down and affix the testicle to the scrotum.

Pelvic floor muscles - The muscles that support the pelvic organs, bladder, vagina and uterus, and rectum, and are important in the maintenance of continence.

Posterior urethral valves - a congenital obstruction of the urethra in boys due to the presence of abnormal folds of tissue within the urethra.

Post void residual - the amount of urine left in the bladder after voiding.

Prostatic urethra - first part of the urethra attached to the bladder neck and surrounded by the prostate.

Prune Belly Syndrome - a congenital syndrome consisting of absent or deficient abdominal wall musculature, bilateral intra-abdominal testes, and an abnormally dilated urinary tract.

Pyelonephritis - Bacterial infection of the kidney

Pyelostomy - an opening of the renal pelvis to the skin to allow drainage of urine.

Sensitive - refers to the ability of a specific antibiotic to kill a specific organism. An organism that can be killed by the antibiotic is said to be sensitive to that antibiotic.

Sepsis - Severe infection characterized by the presence of bacteria in the blood stream.

Shock - A state of severe low blood pressure usually caused by severe sepsis or the acute loss of blood. Life-threatening.

Sphincter - muscles around the urethra that are used to open and close it.

Spina Bifida - abnormal development of the spine chacterized by an opening that can allow the protusion of the spinal cord generally resulting in functional neurologic abnormalities. Also known as myelomeningocele.

Stricture - narrowing of the urethra due to scar tissue

Testicular torsion - twisting of the testicle around it’s blood supply.

Timed voiding - voiding based on a fixed time schedual regardless of the desire to void or sensation of fullness.

Torsion - twisting

Ultrasound - Imaging technique that utilizes sound waves much as a radar does. Is a very useful technique to examine the kidneys.

Undescended testis - a testicle that has failed to descend into the scrotum.

Uninhibited bladder contractions - the contraction or squeezing of the bladder without the patient's permission, involuntary.

Ureter - A tube running from the kidney to the bladder that actively transports the urine.

Ureterocele - A cystic dilation of the bladder end of the ureter that often is obstructive. It may be ectopically placed in the bladder.

Ureterostomy - an opening of the ureter to the skin to allow drainage of urine.

Ureteropelvic Junction (UPJ) Obstruction - An obstruction occurring at the point where the renal pelvis narrows down to form the ureter. It is a common site of congenital obstruction.

Ureterovesical junction obstruction - An obstruction occurring where the ureter joins the bladder.

Urethral Atresia - a congenital deformity of the urethra characterized by a complete obstruction of urethra.

Urethritis - infection of the urethra.

Urethrraghia - inflammation o the urethra characterized by a bloody discharge. Cause is unclear.

Urgency - the strong sensation of needing to void right away to avoid involuntary passage of urine.

Urinary tract infection - Infection of the urinary system including infections of the bladder or kidney.

Urine culture - laboratory technique used to grow and identify any bacteria contained in the urine specimen. Urine normally should be free of any bacteria.

Uroflow - a test used to measure the rate of urine flow during voiding.

Vesicostomy - an opening of the bladder to the skin to allow drainage of urine.

Vesicoureteral reflux - A condition where urine is able to travel from the bladder back up to the kidney. May increase the risk of kidney infections.

Voiding Cystourethrogram (VCUG) - Radiological test whereby a catheter is placed into the bladder and the bladder is filled with contrast until full at which point the patient voids. Best test to detect vesicoureteral reflux or urethral obstruction