title: Imaging for urolithiasis: standards, trends, and radiation exposure.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To discuss current trends in imaging for urolithiasis and review the recent scientific literature surrounding this topic. Specifically, to address the efforts urologist should be making to reduce the use of ionizing radiation and to examine alternatives to computerized tomography (CT) scan in diagnosing and managing patients with stones.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Although CT remains the gold standard for diagnosing urolithiasis, low-dose and ultralow-dose CT scans should be utilized more frequently. Imaging with ultrasound and digital tomosynthesis, especially in follow-up for urolithiasis, offers the dual benefit of reduced patient radiation exposure and acceptable diagnostic ability.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Urolithiasis is a prevalent and recurrent condition and patient radiation exposure throughout diagnosis and management of this disease needs to be considered. Imaging modalities that limit radiation and preserve diagnostic accuracy must be utilized.
authors.affiliation: aDuke University Hospital, Durham, North Carolina bColumbia University Medical Center, New York, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lipkin
authors.forename: Anika
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ackerman
mesh_terms: D061605:Administration, Intravenous; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D000069079:Radiation Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000592:standards; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000592:standards / Q000639:trends; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014567:Urography / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000592:standards / Q000639:trends; D052878:Urolithiasis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media