Subject(s)
Colonic Polyps/diagnosis , Adenoma/diagnosis , Adenoma/diagnostic imaging , Adenoma/physiopathology , Colonic Neoplasms/diagnosis , Colonic Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging , Colonic Neoplasms/physiopathology , Colonic Polyps/diagnostic imaging , Colonic Polyps/physiopathology , Constipation/physiopathology , Diagnosis, Differential , Diarrhea/physiopathology , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , RadiographyABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To evaluate a low-dose, nonenhanced helical computed tomographic (CT) protocol in the detection of ureteric stones and measure the associated effective dose equivalent (H(E)) of radiation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty patients suspected of having renal colic and referred by emergency department physicians underwent nonenhanced helical CT with 7-mm collimation and a 2:1 pitch and then conventional intravenous urography (IVU). The two studies were prospectively and independently interpreted. The diagnostic accuracy of CT for ureteric stone detection was determined by comparing the scans with the IVU images and with a combination of clinical, surgical, and other imaging findings. The radiation risk from typical CT and IVU examinations (five images) was measured in terms of H(E) and compared with the estimated risk from two previously reported CT protocols. RESULTS: CT correctly depicted 36 of 37 ureteric stones, and one false-positive case was recorded, for a sensitivity of 97%, specificity of 96%, and accuracy of 97%. The H(E) for our CT protocol was determined to be 2.8 mSv, which is about double that for IVU and about 75% and 50% of that for two previously reported CT protocols. CONCLUSION: Our low-dose CT protocol is superior to IVU and clinically adequate for diagnosis of renal colic.
Subject(s)
Colic/diagnostic imaging , Kidney Diseases/diagnostic imaging , Tomography, X-Ray Computed/methods , Ureteral Calculi/diagnostic imaging , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Contrast Media/administration & dosage , Diagnosis, Differential , False Positive Reactions , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Image Processing, Computer-Assisted/methods , Injections, Intravenous , Male , Middle Aged , Prospective Studies , Radiation Dosage , Risk Factors , Sensitivity and Specificity , UrographySubject(s)
Abdominal Pain/etiology , Colonic Diseases/diagnosis , Endometriosis/diagnosis , Adult , Colon/diagnostic imaging , Diagnosis, Differential , Endometriosis/complications , Endometriosis/drug therapy , Endometriosis/surgery , Female , Humans , Laparoscopy , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Pelvic Inflammatory Disease/etiology , Pelvis/diagnostic imaging , Radiography , UltrasonographyABSTRACT
We report three cases of extensive post-thrombotic change confirmed at ascending venography but which did not demonstrate the currently accepted duplex ultrasound criteria for post-thrombotic change. We also document a new ultrasound finding which we describe as a chaotic phasic pattern of deep venous flow which was the only duplex evidence of post-thrombotic change in two of the cases. We suggest that its routine inclusion in duplex ultrasound assessment of the deep veins should be considered.
