INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to validate the use of non-contrast computed tomography (CT) with a ureteral stent in situ instead of ureteroscopy for identification of renal tract stones. METHODS: All patients who had stents inserted for renal tract stones and underwent non-contrast CT with the stent in situ followed by ureteroscopy between May 2008 and October 2009 at The Canberra hospital, Australia, were analysed retrospectively. Statistical analysis was performed to compare any differences between CT and ureteroscopy in the identification of stones. RESULTS: Overall, 57 patients were included in the study. The difference between CT and ureteroscopy findings was statistically significant. CT identification of stones with a stent in situ had a sensitivity of 86%, a specificity of 46%, a positive predictive value of 63%, a negative predictive value of 76% and an accuracy of 67%. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that non-contrast CT is inferior to the 'gold standard' of ureteroscopy. It lacks sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy. Therefore, we cannot recommend using non-contrast CT to replace ureteroscopy.
INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to validate the use of non-contrast computed tomography (CT) with a ureteral stent in situ instead of ureteroscopy for identification of renal tract stones. METHODS: All patients who had stents inserted for renal tract stones and underwent non-contrast CT with the stent in situ followed by ureteroscopy between May 2008 and October 2009 at The Canberra hospital, Australia, were analysed retrospectively. Statistical analysis was performed to compare any differences between CT and ureteroscopy in the identification of stones. RESULTS: Overall, 57 patients were included in the study. The difference between CT and ureteroscopy findings was statistically significant. CT identification of stones with a stent in situ had a sensitivity of 86%, a specificity of 46%, a positive predictive value of 63%, a negative predictive value of 76% and an accuracy of 67%. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that non-contrast CT is inferior to the 'gold standard' of ureteroscopy. It lacks sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy. Therefore, we cannot recommend using non-contrast CT to replace ureteroscopy.
Authors: J R Fielding; L A Fox; H Heller; S E Seltzer; C M Tempany; S G Silverman; G Steele Journal: J Comput Assist Tomogr Date: 1997 Jul-Aug Impact factor: 1.826
Authors: Amy Berrington de González; Mahadevappa Mahesh; Kwang-Pyo Kim; Mythreyi Bhargavan; Rebecca Lewis; Fred Mettler; Charles Land Journal: Arch Intern Med Date: 2009-12-14
Authors: Joseph M Kuebker; Jennifer Robles; Jordan J Kramer; Nicole L Miller; S Duke Herrell; Ryan S Hsi Journal: Urolithiasis Date: 2018-10-22 Impact factor: 3.436