Unenhanced CT for the evaluation of acute ureteric colic: the essential pictorial guide

Postgraduate Medical Journal
S KennishHenry C Irving

Abstract

Acute ureteric colic is a common emergency, often dealt with by the emergency physician or general practitioner and referred on to the urologist. Unenhanced CT of the kidneys, ureters and bladder (CTKUB) is the 'gold standard' imaging investigation for establishing a diagnosis and guiding management. An appreciation of the CTKUB signs, which support or refute a diagnosis of ureteric colic, is highly valuable to the clinician when making a urological referral, and to the urologist, who must make appropriate management plans. All salient diagnostic and supportive features of ureteric colic are carefully illustrated, as are important radiological mimics, with the objectives of educating and informing the non-radiologist. Ready access to the picture archive and communication system (PACS) allows all specialists involved to interpret the radiological report with the benefit of images. A stone within the ureter may not always be readily apparent. Soft tissue rim sign around a calcific focus is an important indicator of a ureteric stone, whereas a comet tail sign suggests a phlebolith (a calcified venous thrombosis), a radiological mimic of a ureteric stone. Numerous secondary signs of ureteric obstruction may be present including hyd...Continue Reading

Citations

Apr 18, 2013·CNS Spectrums·Stephen M Stahl
Mar 30, 2016·Seminars in Roentgenology·Jane Belfield, Steven Kennish
Sep 14, 2016·International Braz J Urol : Official Journal of the Brazilian Society of Urology·Miguel Angel Arrabal-PoloMiguel Arrabal-Martín
Dec 15, 2020·Investigative and Clinical Urology·Jae Wook ChungHyun Tae Kim

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