Abstract

Introduction: Urinary system stone disease is the third most common disorder affecting urinary system

following urinary infections and prostate disease. We planned the study in order to compare the diagnostic

value and cost-effectiveness of non-contrast abdominopelvic spiral CT and Plain Abdominal X-Ray +

Ultrasound (US) in the evaluation of urinary system stones.

Materials and Methods: We included a total of 51 patients in the study with the evidence of urinary system

stone disease in the physical examination who admitted to our polyclinics between February 2002 and

December 2002. There were 35 male and 16 female patients with the mean age of 39.5 (12-71). All the patients

were evaluated by Plain Abdominal X-Ray, US and Spiral CT (5 mm thick sections, the rate of 1,5 pitch, a

reconstruction interscan spacing at 3mm, an examination area extending from the kidneys to the base of the

bladder).

Results: In the evaluation of 51 patients by non-contrast spiral CT, 11 kidney stones, 21 ureteral stones, 8

kidney and ureteral stones and 6 other urinary system disorders (nephrocalcinosis, UPJ stenosis, ureteral

stenosis, pyelonephritis, 2 ureteral tumors) were detected. 5 cases were normal.

In a case with the diagnosis of ureteral stone by spiral CT, could not be confirmed by Ureteroscopy and

accepted false positive.

2 stones were in proximal ureter (7.1%), 2 stones in mid-ureter (7.1%) and 24 stones were in distal ureter

(85.8%).

In the 28 cases (54.9%) with the diagnosis of ureteral stone by spiral CT, stone was detected in 7 cases

(25%) by Plain Abdominal X-Ray, Grade 1-2 pelvic dilatation in 12 patients (42%) and stone in 5 patients

(17.8%) were found by US.

19 kidney stones were detected by spiral CT while 4 kidney stones (21%) by Plain Abdominal X-Ray and

10 (52.6%) by US were detected.

Conclusion: When the advantage and disadvantage sides of these radiological evaluation methods are

considered Spiral CT should be reserved for cases where US + Plain Abdominal X-Ray do not show the

evidence of urinary system pathologies.