Evaluation of the sensitivity of scout radiographs on unenhanced helical CT in identifying ureteric calculi: a large UK tertiary referral centre experience

• Published in: British journal of radiology Vol. 85; no. 1014; pp. 800 - 806
• Main Authors: YAP, W. W, BELFIELD, J. C, BHATNAGAR, P, KENNISH, S, WAH, T. M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London British Institute of Radiology 01.06.2012; The British Institute of Radiology
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Biological and medical sciences; Female; Hospitals; Humans; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Nephrology. Urinary tract diseases; Referral and Consultation; Retrospective Studies; Sensitivity and Specificity; Tomography, Spiral Computed; United Kingdom; Ureteral Calculi - diagnostic imaging; Urinary lithiasis; Urinary system involvement in other diseases. Miscellaneous; Urinary tract. Prostate gland; Young Adult; Nuclear medicine; Ureteral lithiasis; Urinary system disease; Radiodiagnosis; Exploration; Ureteral disease; Helical computed tomography; Urinary tract disease; Urinary stone; Radiography; Sensitivity; Radiology; Medical imagery
• ISSN: 0007-1285; 1748-880X
• DOI: 10.1259/bjr/64356303

Unenhanced helical CT for kidney, ureter and bladder (CT KUB) has become the standard investigation for renal colic. This study aims to determine the sensitivity of scout radiographs in detecting ureteric calculi using CT KUB as a standard reference. A retrospective review of consecutive patients who presented with acute flank pain and were investigated using CT KUB. 201 patients with positive ureteric calculi were included. Two radiologists independently reviewed the scout radiographs with access to CT KUB images. Each observer recorded the presence or absence of calculi, location, size and mean Hounsfield units of each calculus. 203 ureteric calculi were analysed from 201 patients. The overall sensitivity of scout radiographs for Observer A was 42.3% and for Observer B 52.2%, with an interobserver reliability κ-value of 0.78. The significance of mean Hounsfield units and size between two groups of patients with visible stones and those not visible were tested; the p-value for both variables was <0.0001, which is statistically significant. The study found that calculi in the upper ureter and larger than 4 mm are more likely to be seen on the scout radiograph. Usage of CT scout radiography should be encouraged and reported routinely in conjunction with CT KUB as a baseline for treatment follow-up.