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Low dose computed tomography in suspected acute renal colic
T Meagher1, V P Sukumar, J Collingwood
1Department of Radiology, Stoke Mandeville Hospital Trust, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, UK. tom.meagher@smh.nhs.uk
Clinical Radiology
|October 18, 2001
Summary
Reduced radiation computed tomography (CT) for suspected renal colic maintains diagnostic accuracy. This imaging technique offers a faster and equally effective alternative to intravenous urography for detecting ureteric and renal calculi.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Medical Imaging
- Urology
Background:
- Renal colic is a common condition requiring accurate diagnosis.
- Computed tomography (CT) is effective for diagnosing renal colic but involves radiation exposure.
- Reducing radiation dose in CT is crucial for patient safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the diagnostic accuracy of CT with reduced exposure factors for suspected renal colic.
- To compare the efficacy of low-dose CT with intravenous urography (IVU).
Main Methods:
- Prospective multi-centre cohort study involving 69 patients.
- Patients underwent CT of the renal tract with reduced exposure factors, followed by IVU.
- Comparison of diagnostic accuracy, radiation dose, and examination time between CT and IVU.
Main Results:
- CT with reduced exposure factors detected 93% of ureteric calculi, comparable to IVU.
- Low-dose CT identified other symptomatic lesions and more renal calculi than IVU.
- CT had a significantly lower mean effective dose (3.5 mSv) and shorter examination time (5 minutes) compared to IVU.
Conclusions:
- CT examination using reduced exposure factors maintains diagnostic accuracy for suspected renal colic.
- Low-dose CT is a viable, efficient, and accurate alternative to IVU for evaluating renal colic.