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Point-of-Care Kidney and Genitourinary Ultrasound in Adults: Image Acquisition
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Comparison of spiral CT and US in the evaluation of pediatric urolithiasis

S Oner1, A Oto, S Tekgul

  • 1Department of Urology, Hacettepe University, School of Medicine, Sihhiye, Ankara, Turkey.

JBR-BTR : Organe De La Societe Royale Belge De Radiologie (SRBR) = Orgaan Van De Koninklijke Belgische Vereniging Voor Radiologie (KBVR)
|December 14, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Spiral computerized tomography (CT) is highly effective for diagnosing pediatric urolithiasis. This imaging technique is more efficient than ultrasound (US) in children with suspected kidney stones when KUB X-rays are inconclusive.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Radiology
  • Urology
  • Medical Imaging

Background:

  • Urolithiasis diagnosis in infants and children can be challenging.
  • Plain film radiography (KUB) is often inconclusive in pediatric patients.
  • Ultrasound (US) is a common initial imaging modality but has limitations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the diagnostic value of spiral computerized tomography (CT) for pediatric urolithiasis.
  • To compare the efficacy of spiral CT versus ultrasound (US) in detecting and localizing urinary tract stones in children.

Main Methods:

  • A study included 29 infants (2-94 months) with suspected urolithiasis and negative/indeterminate KUB.
  • All patients underwent abdominal US and spiral CT.
  • Stone presence, size, and location were recorded; diagnosis confirmed by stone passage, ESWL, surgery, or follow-up.

Main Results:

  • Urolithiasis was confirmed in 79% (23/29) of patients.
  • Spiral CT detected 57 stones (45 renal, 12 ureteral), significantly more than US (34 stones).
  • US localization accuracy was limited, especially for ureteral stones (27.2% vs. CT's higher detection rate).

Conclusions:

  • Spiral CT is highly effective for diagnosing urolithiasis in pediatric patients.
  • Spiral CT demonstrates superior imaging efficiency compared to US in pediatric cases with inconclusive KUB findings.
  • CT offers improved stone detection and localization in children with suspected urinary tract stones.

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