Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable

Integrating an AI-Driven Hydronephrosis Decision-Making Tool

322 participantsStarted 2026-08-01

Plain-language summary

Hydronephrosis is a common congenital kidney anomaly. While most cases resolve on their own, some require surgery. Clinicians rely on repeated ultrasounds and sometimes invasive tests to decide if surgery is needed, but predicting outcomes is difficult. Researchers at SickKids developed an AI model that analyzes ultrasound images to assist in diagnosing and managing hydronephrosis. This study tests how well the AI integrates into real-world care. Clinicians will first make care decisions without AI and then review the AI's prediction before deciding whether to change their plan. A separate expert, unaware of whether AI influenced the first clinician's plan, will make the final decision to ensure care remains unchanged. The study will assess whether AI improves decision-making, reduces unnecessary tests, and fits into clinical workflows. If successful, the AI model could serve as a complementary tool to make diagnoses more efficient and precise while minimizing invasive procedures.

Who can participate

Age range

0 Months – 24 Months

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Seen for HN in-person in the Pediatric Urology clinic with ultrasound scans taken at SickKids * New and follow-up patients 0-24 months. Exclusion Criteria: * Older than 24m * Concurrent urinary tract anomalies (duplex configurations; PUV etc.) * History of renal surgical intervention (post-op patients)

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Change in Clinician Management Decisions Following Exposure to the AI Model

Timeframe: Immediately after AI model exposure during each case review session, through study completion (average of 6 months)

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07581223

SponsorThe Hospital for Sick Children

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2027-01-31

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Hydronephrosis trials