Alternate and incidental diagnoses on noncontrast-enhanced spiral computed tomography for acute flank pain.
BACKGROUND
Our aim was to determine the incidence and spectrum of significant alternate or incidental diagnoses established or suggested on spiral computed tomography (CT) in a large series of patients with suspected renal colic.


METHODS
Records of all patients that had undergone spiral CT (5-mm to 7-mm slice thickness) for acute flank pain during a 5-year period were reviewed. The radiological diagnoses of urinary calculi and obstruction as well as clinical entities not suspected otherwise were analyzed.


RESULTS
A total of 4000 CTs had been performed in the evaluation of acute flank pain. Urinary calculi had been identified in 3120 patients (78.0%). There were 398 patients (9.9%) who had an alternate cause of flank pain or an incidentally detected condition on CT. Of these patients, 102 (25.6%) had more than one additional finding. A total of 153 clinical conditions had been identified mimicking flank pain secondary to calculus and obstruction. In 47 patients (1.2%), incidental solid masses had been detected.


CONCLUSIONS
Spiral CT is a valuable technique in the evaluation of acute flank pain with uncertain clinical diagnosis. A wide spectrum of alternate and additional diagnoses including abdominal solid organ tumors and other significant abdominal conditions such as pancreatitis can be established or suggested on spiral CT performed for suspected acute urinary colic.
Ather
M Hammad
MH
Department of Surgery, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan. hammad.ather@aku.edu
Faizullah
Kulsoom
K
Achakzai
Ilyas
I
Siwani
Rizwan
R
Irani
Fariah
F
D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003085:Colic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D021501:Flank Pain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D033162:Incidental Findings; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014545:Urinary Calculi / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*