ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: This study aimed to assess the accuracy of low-dose dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) in predicting the composition of urinary calculi. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 52 patients with urinary calculi were scanned with a 128-slice dual-source DECT scanner by use of a low-dose protocol. Dual-energy (DE) ratio, weighted average Hounsfield unit (HU) of calculi, radiation dose, and image noise levels were recorded. Two radiologists independently rated study quality. Stone composition was assessed after extraction by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIRS). Analysis of variance was used to determine if the differences in HU values and DE ratios between the various calculus groups were significant. Threshold cutoff values to classify the calculi into separate groups were identified by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. RESULTS: A total of 137 calculi were detected. FTIRS analysis differentiated the calculi into five groups: uric acid (n=17), struvite (n=3), calcium oxalate monohydrate and dihydrate (COM-COD, n=84), calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM, n=28), and carbonate apatite (n=5). The HU value could differentiate only uric acid calculi from calcified calculi (p80% sensitivity and specificity to differentiate them. The DE ratio could not differentiate COM from COM-COD calculi. No study was rated poor in quality by either of the observers. The mean radiation dose was 1.8 mSv. CONCLUSIONS: Low-dose DECT accurately predicts urinary calculus composition in vivo while simultaneously reducing radiation exposure without compromising study quality.
Subject(s)
Adult , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Young Adult , Apatites/analysis , Calcium Oxalate/analysis , Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted/methods , Kidney Calculi/chemistry , Magnesium Compounds/analysis , Phosphates/analysis , Prospective Studies , Radiation Dosage , Tomography, X-Ray Computed/methods , Ureteral Calculi/chemistry , Uric Acid/analysis , Waist CircumferenceABSTRACT
Formation of urinary stone is a serious and debilitating problem throughout the world. In the present study, the inhibitory effect of aqueous extract of root of Rotula aquatica was investigated against struvite crystals (one of the components of urinary stone) grown in vitro using single diffusion gel growth technique. For setting the gel, sodium metasilicate solution (specific gravity 1.05) and 0.5 M aqueous solution of ammonium dihydrogen phosphate were mixed, so that the pH of the mixture could be set at 7.0. Equal amounts of supernatant solution of magnesium acetate (1.0 M) prepared with 0.0%, 0.5% and 1% concentrations of the extract were gently poured on the set gels. It was observed that the number, dimension, total mass, total volume, growth rate and depth of growth of struvite crystals decreased with the increasing extract concentrations in the supernatant solutions. The enhancement of dissolution rate and fragmentation of struvite crystals suggested potential application of the extract for inhibition of struvite type urinary stone.
Subject(s)
Crystallization , Humans , Magnesium Compounds/analysis , Magnesium Compounds/chemistry , Particle Size , Phosphates/analysis , Phosphates/chemistry , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Plant Roots , Solubility/drug effects , Urinary Calculi/chemistry , Urinary Calculi/prevention & controlABSTRACT
We will try to show an outline of the clinical and biological characteristics of pediatric urolithiasis among Tunisian children in the coastal region. This retrospective study included 168 children below 16 years [100 boys and 68 girls] presented with urinary stones. Patients were reviewed in a multi-centric study with regard to age at diagnosis, sexual, historical, physical, laboratory, and radiologic findings. The physical and chemical analysis of stones was carried out by a stereomicroscope and infra-red spectroscopy respectively. Statistical analysis of data was carried out using software SPSS 11.0 for Windows. Statistical significance was determined using chi-square test. The sex ratio was 1.47. Clinical presentation of this pathology was dominated by abdominal pain [28%], hematuria [25.6%], dysuria [16.7%] and urinary tract infection [14.3%]. Stones were located in the upper urinary tract in 75.6% of cases. Of the urine cultures, 14.3% were positive. Whewellite is found more frequently in children stones than infants [P < 0.05] and was the main component in 46.4% of stone section and 55.4% of stone surface. Stuvite stones were more frequent among boys stones than girls' [11 Vs 2.9%] [P < 0.05]. The male prevalence of pediatric urolithiasis is less obvious in Tunisia. Calcium oxalate is the most frequent chemical compound in Tunisian pediatric urolithiasis
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Infant , Child, Preschool , Child , Urinary Bladder Calculi , Calcium Oxalate/analysis , Magnesium Compounds/analysis , Purines/analysis , Prevalence , Age FactorsABSTRACT
The fresh juice of Musa stem (Puttubale) was tested for its antilithiatic activity. Zinc discs were implanted in the urinary bladder of albino rats to induce urolithiasis. The stones formed were mainly of magnesium ammonium phosphate with traces of calcium oxalate. Musa stem juice (3 mL/rat/day orally) was found to be effective in reducing the formation and also in dissolving the pre-formed stones.