CT for the evaluation of flank pain.
Unenhanced helical CT allows rapid and accurate determination of whether a stone is present anywhere in the urinary tract. There is a learning curve for both radiologist and urologist, but a number of signs are highly predictive of stone. Helical CT scans should always be accompanied by a "scoutogram" to convey an idea of what the stone might look like. The scan requires no contrast medium and takes only 5 to 10 minutes of imaging time, making it cost effective. It behooves both urologists and radiologists to familiarize themselves with the techniques for reading these scans.
Anderson
K R
KR
Department of Surgery, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06510, USA.
Smith
R C
RC
D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D003950:Diagnostic Techniques, Urological / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D014545:Urinary Calculi / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology