Radiologic diagnosis of renal colic: the role of plain films, excretory urography and sonography.
The accuracy of plain films, excretory urography and ultrasound for the clinical work-up of renal colic for detecting urinary calculi was evaluated prospectively in 49 patients. Excretory urography was the most sensitive and specific test. Plain films and sonography each had a sensitivity of approximately 60%, but combined yielded a sensitivity of 80%; specificity did not improve. A diagnostic algorithm where sonography was performed first followed by an excretory urography in case of a negative sonography was highly sensitive (93%) and rather specific (79%). This algorithm appears also to have a good cost-benefit rate.
Svedström
E
E
Department of Radiology, University of Turku, Finland.
Alanen
A
A
Nurmi
M
M
D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003085:Colic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014514:Ureteral Calculi / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014567:Urography / Q000379:methods