title: Non-contrast spiral CT for patients with suspected renal colic.
abstract: Renal colic, defined as acute flank pain caused by the passage of a ureteral calculus, is a common condition, but the correct diagnosis may not be apparent clinically. For decades, intravenous urography has been the test of choice for evaluating patients with suspected renal colic. Recently, unenhanced (non-contrast) helical CT has been shown to be an accurate and highly effective examination which can be used instead of intravenous urography. In this article, the technique is reviewed in detail, including its advantages and potential pitfalls.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Stanford University Medical Center, 300 Pasteur Drive, CA 94305-5105, USA.
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Katz
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Lane
authors.forename: F G
authors.initials: FG
authors.lastname: Sommer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003085:Colic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*; D014567:Urography
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media