Unenhanced helical CT in the evaluation of the urinary tract in children and young adults following urinary tract reconstruction: comparison with sonography.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the accuracy of unenhanced, helical CT with sonography for the detection of complications of urinary tract reconstruction.


METHODS
Forty-six kidneys in 24 patients were examined with CT and sonography. All scans were assessed for ease of renal visualization, presence of renal, ureteral, and bladder calculi, renal scars, hydronephrosis, and abdominal wall hernia. The results of both imaging modalities were independently reported.


RESULTS
CT provided excellent visualization of all 46 kidneys, while sonography provided poor visualization of 8 kidneys (17%) (P < 0.001). CT detected calculi in 10 kidneys, 1 ureter, and 7 bladders. Sonography detected calculi in only 2 kidneys, and 2 bladders. Overall, CT detected significantly more calculi than US (18 vs 4, P = 0.01). CT detected scarring in 15 kidneys, while sonography detected scarring in 10. Hydronephrosis was detected in 6 kidneys by CT and in 8 kidneys by sonography. Three abdominal wall hernias were seen at CT that were not seen at sonography.


CONCLUSIONS
CT is superior to sonography for the detection of urinary tract calculi and renal scarring. CT will demonstrate abdominal wall hernias that are unsuspected.
Myers
M T
MT
Department of Radiology, Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA. myers@uhrad.com
Elder
J S
JS
Sivit
C J
CJ
Applegate
K E
KE
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001746:Bladder Exstrophy / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006555:Hernia, Ventral / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D006869:Hydronephrosis / Q000175:diagnosis; D008297:Male; D009436:Neural Tube Defects / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014545:Urinary Calculi / Q000175:diagnosis