title: An overview of kidney stone imaging techniques.
abstract: Kidney stone imaging is an important diagnostic tool and initial step in deciding which therapeutic options to use for the management of kidney stones. Guidelines provided by the American College of Radiology, American Urological Association, and European Association of Urology differ regarding the optimal initial imaging modality to use to evaluate patients with suspected obstructive nephrolithiasis. Noncontrast CT of the abdomen and pelvis consistently provides the most accurate diagnosis but also exposes patients to ionizing radiation. Traditionally, ultrasonography has a lower sensitivity and specificity than CT, but does not require use of radiation. However, when these imaging modalities were compared in a randomized controlled trial they were found to have equivalent diagnostic accuracy within the emergency department. Both modalities have advantages and disadvantages. Kidney, ureter, bladder (KUB) plain film radiography is most helpful in evaluating for interval stone growth in patients with known stone disease, and is less useful in the setting of acute stones. MRI provides the possibility of 3D imaging without exposure to radiation, but it is costly and currently stones are difficult to visualize. Further developments are expected to enhance each imaging modality for the evaluation and treatment of kidney stones in the near future. A proposed algorithm for imaging patients with acute stones in light of the current guidelines and a randomized controlled trial could aid clinicians.
authors: Department of Urology, University of Washington School of Medicine, 1959 NE Pacific Street, Box 356510, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA.
authors: Wayne
authors: W
authors: Brisbane
authors: Center for Industrial and Medical Ultrasound, Applied Physics Laboratory, University of Washington, 1013 NE 40th Street, Seattle, Washington 98105, USA.
authors: Michael R
authors: MR
authors: Bailey
authors: Department of Urology, University of Washington School of Medicine, 1959 NE Pacific Street, Box 356510, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA.|Division of Urology, Department of Veteran Affairs Medical Center, 1660S Columbian Way, Seattle, Washington 98108, USA.
authors: Mathew D
authors: MD
authors: Sorensen
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007669:Kidney Calculi / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D061214:Patient Safety; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014463:Ultrasonography