[Evaluation of spiral computed tomography in the demonstration of kidney stones. Ex vivo study].
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to determine, ex vivo, the limitations of spiral computed tomography (CT) in the detection of renal stones.


METHODS
Twelve fragments of calcium oxalate stones, 1 to 10 millimetres in diameter, were introduced into 3 porcine kidneys. Spiral CT was then performed on these kidneys.


RESULTS
All stones, regardless of their dimensions, were detected with a sensitivity and specificity of 100%. Measurement of these stones on spiral CT showed a magnification factor and a distortion phenomenon which varied according to the table speed and collimation.


CONCLUSIONS
In this study, spiral CT demonstrated excellent performances in the detection of renal stones, even for the smallest stones, measuring 1 mm in diameter.
Service d'Urologie, Vandoeuvre les Nancy, France.
O
O
Gaucher
J
J
Hubert
A
A
Blum
D
D
Regent
P
P
Mangin
D000465:Algorithms; D000818:Animals; D002129:Calcium Oxalate; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007669:Kidney Calculi / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013552:Swine; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*
D002129:Calcium Oxalate