Transient stenosing ureteritis in childhood. A rare complication of rheumatoid purpura

A case of transient stenosing ureteritis in a boy presenting with the clinical features of Henoch-Schoenlein purpura (diffuse articular swelling, petechiae, abdominal pain) complicated by macroscopic haematuria with blood clots is reported. On urography the right collecting system and the right ureter up to the distal lumbar portion were dilated owing to tight ureteral stenosis at that level. Above the stricture, numerous ring-like functional ureteral wall defects were detectable. On the left a stenosis was evident at the lumbo-sacral level with mild dilatation of the ureter. A small filling defect due to subephitelial haemorrhage was evident in the upper part of this ureter. Three months later, after prednisone therapy, the urography was normal on the right: residual mild stenosis was still evident on the left. Radiological findings in Henoch-Schoenlein purpura and the possible differential diagnosis of this condition are discussed.