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Computed tomography of ureteral obstruction
AJR. American Journal of Roentgenology
|June 1, 1982
Summary
Computed tomography (CT) effectively identifies causes of ureteral obstruction when other methods fail. This imaging technique is highly valuable for diagnosing conditions like metastatic cancer and ureteral stones, aiding in treatment planning.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Urology
- Oncology
Background:
- Hydronephrosis diagnosis is often confirmed by urography/pyelography, but the obstruction's cause may remain unclear.
- Computed tomography (CT) is frequently employed to investigate the etiology of ureteral obstruction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the diagnostic value of CT in determining the cause of ureteral obstruction of uncertain etiology.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 36 cases where CT was the primary imaging modality for evaluating ureteral obstruction.
- Review of CT findings to identify specific disease processes causing the obstruction.
Main Results:
- CT proved valuable in diagnosing the cause of ureteral obstruction in 33 out of 36 cases (91.7%).
- Identified etiologies included metastatic carcinoma (22 cases), primary ureteral tumors (2), ureteral stones (4), lymphoma (1), ileocolitis (2), aneurysms (2), fibrous bands (1), urinoma (1), and radiation fibrosis (1).
- In 3 cases (8.3%), CT could not differentiate recurrent tumor from radiation fibrosis in patients with prior radiation therapy.
Conclusions:
- CT is a highly effective imaging tool for diagnosing the causes of ureteral obstruction when initial evaluations are inconclusive.
- While CT is generally successful, distinguishing between recurrent malignancy and radiation fibrosis remains a challenge in specific patient populations.