title: Dual-energy KUB radiographic examination for the detection of renal calculus.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The dual-energy radiographic technique has been proved to be clinically useful in the thorax. Herein, we attempt to apply this technique to the abdomen and pelvis in the context of renal colic.
  
  
  METHODS
  The visibility of renal calculi were assessed using various dual energy peak kilovoltage combination radiographs applied to standard phantoms.
  
  
  RESULTS
  This technique demonstrates a higher than acceptable radiation dosage required to optimize the image quality and the optimized diagnostic quality is inferior to that of the standard Kidneys, Ureters, and Bladder radiograph.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The dual-energy radiographic technique could not better identify the radiopaque renal calculi. Limiting technical considerations include the increased subcutaneous and peritoneal adipose tissue and the limited contrast between the soft tissue and underlying calculi.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre, Victoria General Site, P.O. Box 9000, Halifax, NS, Canada, B3K 6A3. Electronic address: peggy_yen@live.com.
authors.forename: Peggy
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Yen
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre, Victoria General Site, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
authors.forename: Greg
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bailly
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre, Victoria General Site, P.O. Box 9000, Halifax, NS, Canada, B3K 6A3.
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pringle
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre, Victoria General Site, P.O. Box 9000, Halifax, NS, Canada, B3K 6A3.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Barnes
mesh_terms: D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007669:Kidney Calculi / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D011857:Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*
keywords: Renal calculus; dual energy; radiography