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Point-of-Care Kidney and Genitourinary Ultrasound in Adults: Image Acquisition
Published on: June 21, 2024
Sonographic twinkling artifact for renal calculus detection: correlation with CT
Jonathan R Dillman1, Mariam Kappil, William J Weadock
1Department of Radiology, Section of Pediatric Radiology, C. S. Mott Children's Hospital, University of Michigan Health System, 1500 E Medical Center Dr, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA. jonadill@med.umich.edu
Radiology
|April 5, 2011
Summary
Sonographic twinkling artifact in the kidneys shows a high false-positive rate and is not sensitive for detecting kidney stones (nephrolithiasis). Further investigation is needed for reliable diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Medical Imaging
- Nephrology
Background:
- Sonographic color Doppler twinkling artifact is a phenomenon observed in renal imaging.
- Its association with nephrolithiasis requires further clarification.
- Unenhanced computed tomography (CT) is a standard for detecting kidney stones.
Purpose of the Study:
- To retrospectively correlate sonographic color Doppler twinkling artifact within the kidneys with unenhanced CT findings.
- To evaluate the diagnostic performance of twinkling artifact for detecting nephrolithiasis.
Main Methods:
- Reviewed sonographic imaging reports for renal twinkling artifact.
- Correlated sonographic findings with unenhanced CT scans (5-mm section width).
- Assessed presence, number, location, and size of artifacts and calculi.
Main Results:
- Sonographic twinkling artifact had a 78% positive predictive value for nephrolithiasis.
- The true-positive rate for confirmed calculi was 49%, with a 51% false-positive rate.
- Overall sensitivity for detecting individual renal calculi was 55%.
Conclusions:
- Renal twinkling artifact is often associated with nephrolithiasis.
- However, it demonstrates low sensitivity and a high false-positive rate in clinical practice.
- Its utility is limited when compared to 5-mm unenhanced CT for diagnosing kidney stones.
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