Toru Kameda1, Fukiko Kawai2, Nobuyuki Taniguchi3, Ikuo Mori4, Masako Ono5, Noriko Tsukahara5, Yasuyuki Kobori5, Hidetoshi Yoshida5, Kazuko Wagai5, Atsuko Numao5. 1. Department of Ultrasound Medicine, Saiseikai Utsunomiya Hospital, 911-1 Takebayashi, Utsunomiya, Tochigi, 321-0974, Japan. kamekame@pb3.so-net.ne.jp. 2. Department of Ultrasound Medicine, Saiseikai Utsunomiya Hospital, 911-1 Takebayashi, Utsunomiya, Tochigi, 321-0974, Japan. 3. Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Jichi Medical University, Shimotsuke, Japan. 4. Department of Urology, Saiseikai Utsunomiya Hospital, Utsunomiya, Japan. 5. Department of Clinical Laboratory, Saiseikai Utsunomiya Hospital, Utsunomiya, Japan.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To evaluate the relationship between the degree of hydronephrosis and the detection rates of ureteral stones with ultrasonography (US). METHODS: Of 250 consecutive patients with suspected ureterolithiasis, 214 who were diagnosed with ureterolithiasis were enrolled in this study. First, both kidneys were observed by US to evaluate the intrarenal collecting systems. Thereafter, the possible course of the ureters and the bladder were searched to find any stones. RESULTS: Stones were clearly observed in 80 (73%) of 109 patients with caliceal dilatation, whereas stones were clearly observed in 46 (44%) of 105 patients without dilatation (P < 0.05). Of the former 80 patients, 31 (39%) had stones in the ureterovesical junction (UVJ), whereas 51 (64%) had stones in the more proximal ureter. Of the latter 46 patients, 37 (80%) had stones in the UVJ or the bladder, whereas 9 (20%) had stones in the more proximal ureter. CONCLUSION: The US detection rate of ureteral stones was high in patients with caliceal dilatation. The whole ureter should be scanned in patients with caliceal dilatation for detection of ureteral stones. Even when patients have no caliceal dilatation, it is still considered to be useful to scan the UVJ and the bladder.
PURPOSE: To evaluate the relationship between the degree of hydronephrosis and the detection rates of ureteral stones with ultrasonography (US). METHODS: Of 250 consecutive patients with suspected ureterolithiasis, 214 who were diagnosed with ureterolithiasis were enrolled in this study. First, both kidneys were observed by US to evaluate the intrarenal collecting systems. Thereafter, the possible course of the ureters and the bladder were searched to find any stones. RESULTS: Stones were clearly observed in 80 (73%) of 109 patients with caliceal dilatation, whereas stones were clearly observed in 46 (44%) of 105 patients without dilatation (P < 0.05). Of the former 80 patients, 31 (39%) had stones in the ureterovesical junction (UVJ), whereas 51 (64%) had stones in the more proximal ureter. Of the latter 46 patients, 37 (80%) had stones in the UVJ or the bladder, whereas 9 (20%) had stones in the more proximal ureter. CONCLUSION: The US detection rate of ureteral stones was high in patients with caliceal dilatation. The whole ureter should be scanned in patients with caliceal dilatation for detection of ureteral stones. Even when patients have no caliceal dilatation, it is still considered to be useful to scan the UVJ and the bladder.