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[Twinkling artifact in kidney stone disease]
1Servizio di Nefrologia e Dialisi, Distretto Sanitario Sorgono Isili, Ospedale San Camillo, Viale IV Novembre, 08038 Sorgono (NU), Italy. logias@tiscali.it
Summary
The twinkling artifact in ultrasonography is a valuable diagnostic tool for urinary stone disease. Identifying this artifact significantly aids clinicians in accurately diagnosing kidney stones and other urinary calculi.
Area of Science:
- Medical Imaging
- Diagnostic Ultrasound
- Nephrology
Background:
- Ultrasonography artifacts are image distortions from ultrasound-tissue interactions, crucial for accurate diagnosis.
- The twinkling artifact, known as 'Effetto Arlecchino,' presents as colored pixels near calculi.
- Recognizing artifacts enhances diagnostic capabilities in clinical practice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the clinical effectiveness of the twinkling artifact in diagnosing kidney stone disease.
- To determine the diagnostic utility of the twinkling artifact for urinary calculi.
Main Methods:
- Evaluated 107 ultrasonography cases with hyperechogenic formations suggestive of kidney stones.
- Utilized the color box Doppler to intentionally evoke the twinkling artifact.
- Correlated the presence of the artifact with confirmed urinary stone diagnoses.
Main Results:
- The twinkling artifact was detected in 95% (102/107) of suspected kidney stone cases.
- This artifact was consistently present in bladder and urethral stones.
- The artifact was observed in 62 out of 67 kidney stone cases.
Conclusions:
- The twinkling artifact is a highly prevalent finding in urinary stone disease.
- Its identification provides valuable supplementary information for diagnosing urinary calculi.
- The twinkling artifact enhances the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasonography for stones.