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Updated: May 20, 2026

Point-of-Care Kidney and Genitourinary Ultrasound in Adults: Image Acquisition
Published on: June 21, 2024
Multi-detector CT in the paediatric urinary tract
M B Damasio1, K Darge, M Riccabona
1Paediatric Radiology, Giannina Gaslini Institute, Genoa, Italy. mariabdamasio@ospedale-gaslini.ge.it
Insights
Paediatric multi-slice CT (MSCT) use is rising, necessitating radiation dose control. This paper offers guidelines for appropriate paediatric urinary tract CT (uro-CT) use, emphasizing selected indications and protocol optimization.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Paediatric Imaging
- Urogenital Imaging
Background:
- Paediatric multi-slice CT (MSCT) utilization is increasing globally.
- There is a growing need for radiation dose control and appropriate application of CT in children.
- Standardized recommendations for paediatric urinary tract CT (uro-CT) are essential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide detailed recommendations for paediatric uro-CT.
- To discuss clinical indications and optimization strategies for paediatric CT examinations.
- To highlight age-specific considerations for uro-CT in children compared to adults.
Main Methods:
- Review and synthesis of current practices and guidelines.
- Incorporation of principles from the European Society of Paediatric Radiology (ESPR) and European Society of Urogenital Radiology (ESUR).
- Emphasis on the ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) principle.
Main Results:
- Paediatric uro-CT should be reserved for specific indications when ultrasound is inconclusive and MRI is unavailable or unsuitable.
- Protocol optimization, including age-adapted kV and mAs, is crucial.
- Minimizing the number of acquisition phases and series is recommended.
Conclusions:
- Paediatric uro-CT requires careful patient selection and protocol optimization.
- Adherence to ALARA principles ensures radiation safety in paediatric imaging.
- Tailored approaches are necessary for effective uro-CT in the paediatric population.
Abstract:
The use of paediatric multi-slice CT (MSCT) is rapidly increasing worldwide. As technology advances its application in paediatric care is constantly expanding with an increasing need for radiation dose control and appropriate utilization. Recommendations on how and when to use CT for assessment of the paediatric urinary tract appear to be an important issue. Therefore the European Society of Paediatric Radiology (ESPR) uroradiology task force and European Society of Urogenital Radiology (ESUR) paediatric working groups created a proposal for performing renal CT in children that has recently been published. The objective of this paper is to discuss paediatric urinary tract CT (uro-CT) in more detail and depth. The specific aim is not only to offer general recommendations on clinical indications and optimization processes of paediatric CT examination, but also to address various childhood characteristics and phenomena that facilitate understanding the different approach and use of uro-CT in children compared to adults. According to ALARA principles, paediatric uro-CT should only be considered for selected indications provided high-level comprehensive US is not conclusive and alternative non-ionizing techniques such as MR are not available or appropriate. Optimization of paediatric uro-CT protocols (considering lower age-adapted kV and mAs) is mandatory, and the number of phases and acquisition series should be kept as few as possible.
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