CT kidneys, ureters and bladder (protocol)
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Computed tomography of kidneys, ureters and bladder (CT KUB) is a quick non-invasive technique for diagnosis of urolithiasis. It is usually considered the initial imaging modality for suspected urolithiasis in an emergency setting 1.
Advantages
- quick
- easily accessible
- identification of calcified renal tract calculi and their sequelae
- assessment of other causes of flank pain if negative for calculus disease
Disadvantages
- exposure to ionizing radiation
Technique
Procedure
Actual procedure will vary depending on institutional protocol/guidelines but below is a typical description:
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Nonnon contrast CT scanning is ideally performed on a multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) scanner. -
Supinesupine or prone patient positioning- prone has the advantage of assessing stones near the VUJ which may have just passed
- some institutions may perform a limited pelvic scan in prone if the supine scan shows a calculus near the VUJ
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Datadata interpretation with the use of axial, sagittal and coronal reformatted images for proper evaluation.
Findings
- identification of calcified renal tract calculi size and position
- stone composition assessment with dual energy CT
- assessment of the sequelae of calculi
- obstruction
- infection
- assessment of other causes of flank pain if negative for calculus disease
- presence of further calculi at risk of obstructing
-<li>Non contrast CT scanning is ideally performed on a multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) scanner.</li>-<li>Supine or prone patient positioning<ul>- +<li>non contrast CT scanning is ideally performed on a multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) scanner.</li>
- +<li>supine or prone patient positioning<ul>
-<li>Data interpretation with the use of axial, sagittal and coronal reformatted images for proper evaluation.</li>- +<li>data interpretation with the use of axial, sagittal and coronal reformatted images for proper evaluation.</li>