Low-dose nonenhanced helical CT of renal colic: assessment of ureteric stone detection and measurement of effective dose equivalent.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate a low-dose, nonenhanced helical computed tomographic (CT) protocol in the detection of ureteric stones and measure the associated effective dose equivalent (H(E)) of radiation.


METHODS
Sixty patients suspected of having renal colic and referred by emergency department physicians underwent nonenhanced helical CT with 7-mm collimation and a 2:1 pitch and then conventional intravenous urography (IVU). The two studies were prospectively and independently interpreted. The diagnostic accuracy of CT for ureteric stone detection was determined by comparing the scans with the IVU images and with a combination of clinical, surgical, and other imaging findings. The radiation risk from typical CT and IVU examinations (five images) was measured in terms of H(E) and compared with the estimated risk from two previously reported CT protocols.


RESULTS
CT correctly depicted 36 of 37 ureteric stones, and one false-positive case was recorded, for a sensitivity of 97%, specificity of 96%, and accuracy of 97%. The H(E) for our CT protocol was determined to be 2.8 mSv, which is about double that for IVU and about 75% and 50% of that for two previously reported CT protocols.


CONCLUSIONS
Our low-dose CT protocol is superior to IVU and clinically adequate for diagnosis of renal colic.
Liu
W
W
Department of Radiology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, weldon#torfree.net
Esler
S J
SJ
Kenny
B J
BJ
Goh
R H
RH
Rainbow
A J
AJ
Stevenson
G W
GW
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003085:Colic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D012307:Risk Factors; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*; D014514:Ureteral Calculi / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014567:Urography
D003287:Contrast Media