[Urolithiasis, CT and lithotripsy guidelines].
3% of the population experiences a flank pain during its lifetime. A flank pain is explained by calculus disease in more than 70% of the cases. Since the introduction of spiral CT and lithotripsy the work up of urolithiasis has changed. Many tests and treatment are available: KUB, IVP, ultrasound with color Doppler, CT and MR urography for diagnosis; lithotripsy, stenting or open surgery for treatment. The emergency practitioner, the radiologist and the urologist should answer three questions that will be reviewed in this paper: Is the acute flank pain caused by urolithiasis? Will calculus be spontaneously discharged? Is lithotripsy indicated?
Scherrer
A
A
Service de Radiologie, Hôpital Foch, Suresnes, France. a.scherrer@hopital-foch.org
Mellot
F
F
Botto
H
H
Lebret
T
T
D005260:Female; D021501:Flank Pain / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008096:Lithotripsy; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D012075:Remission, Spontaneous; D015607:Stents; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color; D014545:Urinary Calculi / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy