TRANSABDOMINAL ULTRASONOGRAPHY IN PATIENTS WITH URETERIC COLIC

Abstract

Background:

To determine the ureteric calculus in patients with renal colic using trans-abdominal ultrasound (US) and un-enhanced helical CT (UHCT). The aim of this study was to conduct an evaluation for efficacy of B-mode for diagnosing ureteric calculus in patients with renal colic by taking un-enhanced helical CT findings as gold standard.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the department of Radiology, Dr. Ziauddin Medical University and Hospital, Clifton, Karachi from May 2013 to January 2014. Grey scale (B-mode) ultrasonography was used for the evaluation of all patients presenting with suspected renal colic followed by un-enhanced helical CT, standard, the finding of renal ultrasonography were compared.

Results:

Out of total 105 patients, ultrasonography showed calculi in 21 (20%) of the patients while CT findings showed calculus in 55 (52.4%) of the patients. Out of 21 patients with calculus in ultrasound, right side was involved in 13 (61.9%) and left side in 8 (7.6%) of the patients. Mean size of calculi on ultrasound was 1.46 + 1.14. hydronephrosis was observed in 59 *56.2%) while hydroureter in 43 (41%) of the patients. Out of 55 patients with calculus in CT, right side was involved in 19 (34.5%) and left side in 36 (65.5%) of the patients. Mean size of calculi on Ct was 0.81 + 0.74. hydronephrosis was observed in 59 (93.75) while dydroureter in 43 (91.5%) of the patients.

Conclusion:

For the diagnosis of small ureteral calculi B-mode ultrasonography is not a very sensitive test. However it can diagnose large ueroterol calculi especially in the proximal and distal ureter.