[Color echo-doppler of the ureterovesical stream. Normal aspects. Application to the acute ureteral obstruction]

A colour Doppler ultrasound study of the ureterovesical was performed to define the normal features, variants and abnormalities of the ureteric stream by comparing 50 normal subjects and 19 subjects with renal colic due to ureteric stones. The examination included assessment of the frequency, intensity, morphology and symmetry of the ureterovesical stream. In normal subjects, the stream was either absent, especially in the case of fluid restriction (36%), present and symmetrical (34%) or asymmetrical (30%). In patients with ureteric stones, during a non-painful period and in the absence of obstruction on IVU, the stream was normal and symmetrical (9%) while during a painful period with obstruction on IVU, the ureteric stream was either absent (47%) or abnormal and asymmetrical (31%). A continuous stream, very suggestive of obstruction, was observed in 5 cases. Colour Doppler ultrasound is a new, simple method which may be helpful in the diagnosis of renal colic, particularly in cases in which the pyelocaliceal cavities are not dilated.