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Updated: Oct 12, 2026

In Vivo, Percutaneous, Needle Based, Optical Coherence Tomography of Renal Masses
Published on: March 30, 2015
Dual-energy KUB radiographic examination for the detection of renal calculus
Peggy Yen1, Greg Bailly2, Christopher Pringle1
1Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre, Victoria General Site, P.O. Box 9000, Halifax, NS, Canada, B3K 6A3.
Rationale And Objectives:
The dual-energy radiographic technique has been proved to be clinically useful in the thorax. Herein, we attempt to apply this technique to the abdomen and pelvis in the context of renal colic.
Materials And Methods:
The visibility of renal calculi were assessed using various dual energy peak kilovoltage combination radiographs applied to standard phantoms.
Results:
This technique demonstrates a higher than acceptable radiation dosage required to optimize the image quality and the optimized diagnostic quality is inferior to that of the standard Kidneys, Ureters, and Bladder radiograph.
Conclusions:
The dual-energy radiographic technique could not better identify the radiopaque renal calculi. Limiting technical considerations include the increased subcutaneous and peritoneal adipose tissue and the limited contrast between the soft tissue and underlying calculi.
Related Concept Videos
Urinary Tract Calculi III: Medical Management
Imaging Studies I: Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder Studies
Imaging Studies II: Ultrasonography
Imaging Studies III: Computed Tomography
Imaging Studies V: Intravenous Urography and Retrograde Pyelography
Imaging Studies VII: Vascular Imaging

