title: Radio-contrast enhancement of a urinary tract calculus.
abstract: We report the case of a woman who presented with obstruction and urosepsis of her left kidney secondary to small cystine calculi. The calculi could not be seen on initial plain abdominal X-ray. However, following percutaneous nephrostogram the calculi became more radio-dense and visible on later X-rays. Experimental enhancement of calculi has been described before but not in man. We presume that the contrast medium was adsorbed by the calculus to increase the radio-density. Further investigation of this phenomenon could prove useful in the management of complex radiolucent calculi.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton, UK. R.D.Brierly@btinternet.com
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Brierly
authors.forename: A H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Mostafid
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Fletcher
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003287:Contrast Media; D003545:Cysteine / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007669:Kidney Calculi / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy; D008096:Lithotripsy / Q000379:methods; D009403:Nephrostomy, Percutaneous; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014517:Ureteral Obstruction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D003545:Cysteine