Usefulness of Unenhanced Helical CT in Patients with Suspected Ureteral Colic

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To determine the usefulness of unenhanced helical CT in patients with suspected renal colic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and fourteen patients with suspected ureteral colic, referred by physicians, underwent unenhanced helical CT. Two radiologists prospectively interpreted the results, determining the presence or absence of ureter stone and other diseases that arise outside the urinary tract. In cases of ureteral stone, we retrospectively sought secondary signs of hydronephrosis, perinephric fat stranding, thickening of renal fascia, renal enlargement, and the tissue rim sign. RESULTS: Among the 114 patients, 57 were confirmed as having ureter stones. Unenhanced helical CT depicted 57 of 58 stones in 57 patients, producing one false-negative and one false-positive result. Overall, the results showed 98% sensitivity, 95% specificity, 98% positive predictive value, 95% negative predictive value, and 97% accuracy. The frequencies of secondary signs were as follows: hydronephrosis, 95% (54/57); perinephric fat stranding, 81% (46/57); thickening of renal fascia, 77% (44/57); renal enlargement, 65% (37/57); and the tissue rim sign 72% (21/29). In 20 patients, the diagnoses were not related to stone disease and included one falsenegative diagnosis of pyonephrosis. CONCLUSION: Unenhanced helical CT provides information which is valuable in the accurate diagnosis of ureteral stone as well as other diseases that arise outside the urinary tract in patients with suspected renal colic.