CT-Urography.
In this paper we present an overview of CT-Urography. With the advent of multislice CT scanners and the evolution of image processing methods this technique now affords optimal urographic images comparable to those obtained with conventional techniques. We describe the acquisition techniques and protocols used by the various authors. Effective radiation dose has conditioned the use of CT-Urography so that the tendency today is to reduce the number of scans by performing, after the nonenhanced scan, a single contrast-enhanced scan comprising both the nephrographic and urographic phase. With the use of multislice CT the quality of the urogram improves with the number of slices. We illustrate a variety of processing techniques, multiplanar reconstruction (MPR), maximum (MIP) and average intensity projection (AIP) and volume rendering (VR) and present a series of upper urinary tract tumours testifying to the superiority of the AIP technique over MIP. We then review the results of comparative studies of CT-Urography with conventional urography in upper urinary tract diagnostics. Finally, we describe the advantages and limitations of CT-Urography.
Dalla Palma
Ludovico
L
Dipartimento di Scienze Cliniche Morfologiche e Tecnologiche, Università degli Studi, Trieste. dallap@units.it
Morra
Aldo
A
Grotto
Maurizio
M
D003287:Contrast Media; D003558:Cystoscopy; D004231:Diuresis; D005260:Female; D006417:Hematuria / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D006869:Hydronephrosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D007668:Kidney / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D007669:Kidney Calculi / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D007670:Kidney Calices / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D007682:Kidney Pelvis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D016684:Prone Position; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016683:Supine Position; D036542:Tomography, Spiral Computed; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods; D014515:Ureteral Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014516:Ureteral Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014567:Urography / Q000379:methods; D014571:Urologic Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*
D003287:Contrast Media