Abstract

Objective: The urine flow, which is also called ureteric jet, can be demonstrated by Doppler ultrasound at the ureterovesical junction (UVJ). The aim of this study was to evaluate the flow pattern changes of the urine at the UVJ in patients with nonobstructive nephrolithiasis. 

Materials and methods: Twenty-four patients with uncomplicated renal calculi were included in this prospective study. Transabdominal color Doppler ultrasonography was performed to evaluate the UVJ of 24 patients and 31 healthy volunteers as the control group. 

Results: Although there was a slight increase in the duration of the ureteric jet, peak velocity, and frequency of the jet flow in patients with nephrolithiasis; the difference between groups was not statistically significant (p>0.05 for all). However, when normal and abnormal (with calculi) sides of the same patient were compared, ureteric jet flow patterns were predominant in monophasic form at the side with calculi. The jet spectrum pattern was monophasic, biphasic, and triphasic in 26, 2, and 2 abnormal sides respectively, while these figures were 13, 32, and 13 for normal sides (p<0.05 for all patterns). Spectral form of the both sides of patient group was significantly different from that of the control group (p<0.0001). 

Conclusion: The assessment of color Doppler pattern of ureteric jet flow at the UVJ is valuable in the diagnosis of nonobstructive nephrolithiasis.