Comparision of low dose computed tomography with standard dose computed tomography for evaluation of urolithiasis

Abstract

Background: Computed tomography (standard and low-dose CT [SDCT, LDCT] scan) has become the reference technique in medical imaging for urinary calculi, to diagnose, plan treatment, and explore differential diagnosis of renal colic. Objective: This study was done to compare the low-dose non-enhanced CT scan with standard dose CT scan in the evaluation of urolithiasis. Materials and Methods: Prospective Cross-sectional study on 60 patients undergoing both abdominal low-dose NCCT and standard-dose NCCT. Another optional low dose excretory phase of CT urography was also reserved for suspected patients who had hydronephrosis on NCCT or ureteral calculus on NCCT or whose symptoms could not be explained by finding on NCCT. The patients were scanned by PHILIPS Ingenuity core 64 slice CT scanner with Philips intellispace workstation and software using fixed tube current. Results: The internal reliability was excellent (cronbach alfa=0.9). There was substantial agreement in both the protocols (Cohens kappa=0.69), even in detecting calculi