Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 12, 2026

In Vivo, Percutaneous, Needle Based, Optical Coherence Tomography of Renal Masses
Published on: March 30, 2015
[Evaluation of spiral computed tomography in the demonstration of kidney stones. Ex vivo study]
Objectives:
The objective of this study was to determine, ex vivo, the limitations of spiral computed tomography (CT) in the detection of renal stones.
Material And Methods:
Twelve fragments of calcium oxalate stones, 1 to 10 millimetres in diameter, were introduced into 3 porcine kidneys. Spiral CT was then performed on these kidneys.
Results:
All stones, regardless of their dimensions, were detected with a sensitivity and specificity of 100%. Measurement of these stones on spiral CT showed a magnification factor and a distortion phenomenon which varied according to the table speed and collimation.
Conclusion:
In this study, spiral CT demonstrated excellent performances in the detection of renal stones, even for the smallest stones, measuring 1 mm in diameter.
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