The use of computed tomography as the first imaging modality in patients with renal colic and microscopic haematuria
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 1, 2025
Author Spotlight: Developing a Bedside Protocol for Kidney and Genitourinary Ultrasonography
Published on: June 21, 2024
Volkan Sen1, Sakir Ongun2, Mehmet Oguz Sahin1
1Department of Urology, Manisa State Hospital, Manisa, Turkey.
Insights
Computed tomography (CT) is effective for diagnosing renal colic and microscopic hematuria. Its high accuracy and speed make it a safe initial imaging choice for these conditions.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Urology
- Emergency Medicine
Background:
- Renal colic and microscopic hematuria are common presentations in emergency settings.
- Accurate and timely diagnosis is crucial for effective patient management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the utility of computed tomography (CT) as the primary imaging modality for patients presenting with renal colic and microscopic hematuria.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 834 patients presenting with renal colic and microscopic hematuria across six health centers.
- Inclusion criteria: non-contrast CT as the initial imaging modality.
- Patients were categorized into stone-positive and stone-negative groups for comparative analysis.
Main Results:
- Urolithiasis was diagnosed in 85.3% of patients (711/834).
- CT identified additional pathologies in 3.1% of cases.
- Male patients showed a higher stone prevalence (89.5% vs 75.2%) and required treatment more frequently.
Conclusions:
- Computed tomography demonstrates high sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing urolithiasis.
- Its ease of use and rapid results support its role as a safe and effective first-line imaging tool for renal colic and microscopic hematuria.
Objective:
We aimed to evaluate the use of computed tomography (CT) as the first imaging modality in patients with renal colic and microscopic haematuria.
Methodology:
The patients that presented to the emergency service of six health centers with renal colic between January 2017 and January 2018 and were found to have microscopic hematuria on urinalysis were retrospectively evaluated. Only patients for whom non-contrast CT was used as the first imaging modality were included in the study. Patients were divided into two groups according to the stone presence (stone +, stone -) and the groups were compared in terms of demographics and clinical characteristics of patients.
Results:
A total of 834 patients were included in the study and 711 (85.3%) were diagnosed with urolithiasis. CT also revealed additional pathology in 26 (3.1%) patients. The male patients had a significantly higher rate of stones than female patients (89.5% vs 75.2%; P < .001) and the BMI values were also significantly higher in the male patients compared with the females (27.0 ± 2.1 vs 25.0 ± 4.0, P < .001). Right renal colic was more common in female patients and the rate of left renal colic was significantly higher in male patients. The male patients diagnosed with stone disease required treatment at a higher rate than the female patients (P = .005).
Conclusions:
Because of its high sensitivity and specificity values in the diagnosis of stone disease, easy applicability and fast results, CT can be safely used as the first imaging modality for the diagnosis of renal colic and microscopic haematuria.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Imaging Studies III: Computed Tomography
01:10Computed Tomography
The technique was invented in the 1970s and is based on the principle that as X-rays pass through the body, they are absorbed or reflected at different levels. In the technique, a patient lies on a motorized platform while a computerized axial tomography (CAT) scanner rotates...
01:19Imaging Studies VII: Vascular Imaging
01:24Imaging Studies II: Ultrasonography
01:28Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System V: CT
01:27Imaging Studies IV: Magnetic Resonance Imaging