Archive for urology
Innovative new shunt delivery system holds promise for treatment of fetal urinary tract obstruction
Urinary tract obstruction that occurs in utero can have serious consequences for the fetus. Such obstructions can block the flow of fetal urine, which makes up amniotic fluid. Without adequate levels of amniotic fluid, a fetus may not develop properly, especially in terms of the fetal lungs. Fetal urinary tract obstructions can range from mild ... Read More
Harnessing the power of machine learning to improve urology care
Urodynamics — a group of tests that evaluate how well the body collects, and then releases, urine — can be crucial for diagnosing urologic problems, particularly in children with spinal cord defects and other neurologic conditions. While urodynamics can provide clinicians with a rich set of data, the interpretation of these tests remains unstandardized. That ... Read More
At the forefront of kidney stone removal: Innovative approaches transform patient care
No longer considered just an adult problem, kidney stones increasingly affect children as well. The majority of children who cannot pass stones on their own can be treated with minimally invasive approaches such as extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, ureteroscopy, percutaneous nephrolithotomy, laparoscopic and robotic approaches and, rarely, open surgery. Now, two recent innovations provide additional ... Read More
Urology care uncovers a surprising culprit in Brendan’s mystery illness
Brendan Grenier doesn’t remember the first time he met Dr. Joseph Borer, a surgeon in the Department of Urology at Boston Children’s Hospital, but his parents do. Born with an unrelated urologic problem, he required a minor surgery. “We wanted the best doctor, and we found that in Dr. Borer,” remembers his mom, Julie. “When ... Read More
Staff Spotlight: Meet Dr. Bartley Cilento, Jr.
Pediatric urologist Bartley Cilento, Jr., MD, MPH, is co-director of the Kidney Stone Program at Boston Children’s Hospital, which cares for children and adolescents who have or are at risk for developing kidney stones. He also serves as director of the hospital’s Pediatric Urology Fellowship Program. What does your job involve? My job involves treating ... Read More
Stetson travels from Texas for bladder exstrophy care
As first-time parents, Rachael and Leroy Calk expected to have questions after their son, Stetson, was born. What they didn’t expect was to find themselves faced with a surprising diagnosis when their baby was just a few hours old — and to begin a journey for answers about his care. Although Rachael’s pregnancy had been ... Read More
Henry’s bladder exstrophy journey
Just a few months into his young life, Henry Packer has traveled from the Netherlands to Utah to Massachusetts — and has gone from being a medical mystery to making a best friend with the same rare condition. It’s all part of his ongoing journey with bladder exstrophy, a congenital anomaly in which a baby’s ... Read More
Be a VIP: Voiding Improvement Program helps kids with incontinence
Urinary incontinence (enuresis) isn’t just embarrassing for kids — it can lead to low self-esteem, stress, and even bullying. Because bedwetting, daytime wetting, and other problems are so personal, many children and parents are reluctant to talk about them. But families don’t have to stay silent. An approach called voiding improvement can help determine what’s ... Read More
Testicular problems in boys: When is surgery necessary?
Testicular problems can be a source of alarm for parents of boys, but they’re actually quite common. Here, Dr. Erin McNamara, a pediatric urologist in the Department of Urology at Boston Children’s Hospital, explains testicular abnormalities and shares when to consider surgery. Undescended testicles Before a baby boy is born, his testicles form in his ... Read More
Another level of gratitude: Spina bifida care for Liam
Most parents first walk through the doors of Boston Children’s Hospital seeking answers about their child’s health. But until recently, when Mary Holleran arrived at the hospital, she was simply beginning another day at work. A nurse practitioner, she’s been on staff at Boston Children’s for more than a decade, much of it spent caring ... Read More