Hasan Shams, Muhammad Adil Riaz, Hammad Raziq, Marahim Khan, Ghazala Wali.
Diagnostic accuracy of ultrasonography versus computed tomography in patients of acute renal colic.
Pak J Med Health Sci Jan ;13(4):918-21.

Background: CT scan is considered as gold standard imaging modality for diagnosis of nephrolithiasis but its utility is limited due to harmful radiation especially in children and pregnant females. Aim: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasonography for detection of calculi in acute renal colic patients taking computed tomography as gold standard. Methods: This was a cross -sectional study conducted at Govt. Said Mitha Teaching Hospital, Lahore. 102 patients of nephrolethiasis were selected using non -probability convenient sampling. Adult male and female patients of all ages fulfilling the inclusion criteria were included in the study. Ultrasonography and computed tomography of all patients were done and findings were noted. Th e data was entered and analyzed using SPSS Results: Taking CT scan as gold standard, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive & negative predictive values and diagnostic accuracy of ultrasonography in detecting renal calculi was 74.47%, 96.36%, 94.59%, 81.54% and 86.27% respectively. While sensitivity, specificity, positive & negative predictive values and diagnostic accuracy of u/s in detecting ureteric calculi was 12.0%, 92.59%, 81.82%, 27.47% and 33.33% respectively. Conclusion: Despite limited value in diagnosing urinary stones, ultrasonography may be used as an initial assessment tool in patients presenting with acute renal colic. Sensitivity and specificity of ultrasonography for detection of renal and ureteric calculi and hydronephrosis is variable and is influenced by stone size, type and location of the stone in urinary tract.

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